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'Ghar wapsi hogaya'- Fans react as Gautam Gambhir joins KKR ahead of IPL 2024 auction

The former India skipper was part of LSG as a mentor for two years, leading them to the knockouts in both seasons. Gambhir has now joined back to the side where he won two IPL trophies, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the mentor. 

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Gautam Gambhir returns to KKR

Gautam Gambhir with KKR during his playing days

Former India opening batter Gautam Gambhir has left Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the player auction of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL) that is set to take place in Dubai, on November 19. The former India skipper was part of LSG as a mentor for two years leading them to the knockouts in both seasons. Gambhir has now joined back to the side where he won two IPL trophies, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the mentor. 

The left-hander was the captain of the KKR for six years and led them to the trophy in the 2012 and 2014 seasons. Under his leadership, only KKR was able to reduce Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the lowest total in the IPL history of 49 runs in 2017. The batter scored 3375 runs in his stint with the Kolkata-based franchise, which is the all-time leading run-scorer. 

The former India skipper returned to the Delhi Capitals (formerly Daredevils) in 2018 (for the team he started his IPL career in 2008 and went on till 2010). The 42-year-old opener has thanked the LSG franchise for the support and love they showed towards him. 

This is back to where it all started: Gautam Gambhir

Gauti said, "As I announce the end of my impeccable journey with Lucknow Super Giants, I am filled with love and immense gratitude towards all the players, coaches, support staff and every individual who has made this journey memorable. I would like to thank Dr. Sanjiv Goenka for his inspiring leadership while creating this remarkable franchise and for his tremendous support to all my endeavours. I'm sure that the team will do wonders in the future and will make every LSG fan proud. All the very best LSG brigade!"

After the announcement of joining KKR he said, "I am not an emotional person and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again. I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the city of joy. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR."

Welcoming Gambhir back to KKR, Shah Rukh said, "Gautam has always been part of the family and this is our Captain coming back home in a different avatar as a "Mentor". He was sorely missed and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir and Gautam in instilling the never-say-die spirit and of sportsmanship they stand for, in creating magic with Team KKR."

Here's how fans reacted

Gautam Gambhir