Gautam Gambhir explains reason behind apologizing to former KKR batter in front of entire team

Former India World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir is always in the news for his controversial and candid comments. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor has been explained an incident that resulted in him apologising to former colleague Brendon McCullum in front of the entire team during the 2012 IPL season.

KKR were poised to face the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final but were unable to maintain their winning streak as Lakshmipathy Balaji injured his hamstring. Gambhir was forced to sacrifice McCullum to replace him with Brett Lee and meet the overseas quota limitations. The Knights won their first trophy in the 2012 year beating MS Dhoni's side in Chepauk with Manvinder Bisla playing a memorable knock of 89 runs.

Since then won the trophy once in 2014 and have not won a trophy. Both the cricketers have retired and are in a different managerial career. He believes having honest and open conversations is something a leader has to do even if it is tough and awkward at times. In an Instagram video, the left-handed opener stated why he thought apologising to the English head coach in front of the entire squad was his job. 

I actually said sorry to Brendon McCullum: Gautam Gambhir

The 42-year-old said, "Before leaving for that final at Chepauk, I actually said sorry to Brendon McCullum in front of the entire team. I said 'I am really really sorry I had to drop you. The reason is not your performance, the reason is our combination.' No one wanted to do that. But I had the courage to apologize to him in front of the whole team. Nothing wrong in apologizing."

"Had I not apologized in front of the entire team, somewhere deep inside my heart, I would have had that guilt that I have not communicated well enough. Leadership is not only about taking appreciation or shutting yourself off or taking credit. It's about doing this stuff as well. Sometimes it's awkward but that's how you grow as a leader."