Gautam Gambhir, a former Indian cricketer, continues to attract audiences, particularly after his key involvement in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ victory in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Gambhir’s surprising switch to KKR followed his two-year stint with the Lucknow Super Giants. Recent disclosures shed light on Gambhir’s conversations with Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of KKR, from 2018 to 2022.
According to Dainik Jagaran, Gambhir’s intention to leave the Lucknow franchise in 2023 was initiated by an intriguing offer from Shah Rukh Khan. Shah Rukh allegedly made Gambhir an open-ended offer, asking him to commit to KKR for the next decade. This offer forced Gambhir to reassess his future with LSG, despite his past great efforts with the team. A critical two-hour meeting between Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan at the latter’s mansion, ‘Mannat’, influenced Gambhir’s decision to join KKR.
Gambhir, who led KKR to IPL victories in 2012 and 2014, embraced the new assignment with enthusiasm. However, this rapid move caught LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka off guard, leaving him bewildered by the unexpected outcome.
Now that Gambhir has completed his first year with KKR, he is facing a crossroads in his career. Speculation abounds over his prospective appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Despite this appealing possibility, Gambhir is constrained by his previous promise to Shah Rukh Khan’s reported ’10-year offer’. The BCCI is allegedly keen for Gambhir’s approval, given the scarcity of famous contenders for the position, including no noteworthy Australian applications and VVS Laxman’s lack of enthusiasm.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Gambhir, and it remains to be seen whether the BCCI can persuade him to take the prestigious role of India’s head coach.
