HT Digital,
Mumbai, May 30: In an inspiring testament to sportsmanship and unity, the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) was marked by a touching reconciliation between former rivals Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. The two cricket stalwarts, who had been reported to have a strained relationship for years, shared a heartfelt embrace, signaling an end to their past animosity. This poignant moment occurred during the season when Kohli played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gambhir mentored the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Under the guidance of Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer’s KKR clinched their third IPL title by decisively defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, hosted at the defending champions Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) home ground. This victory not only highlighted Gambhir’s effective mentorship but also placed him in strong contention for the role of India’s head coach, with many speculating he might succeed Rahul Dravid after the ICC T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on the 2024 IPL season, Gambhir celebrated several standout performances, such as the exceptional opening partnership between Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, and Mayank Yadav’s remarkable bowling. He also praised RCB for their impressive streak of six consecutive wins, which secured them a spot in the playoffs.
Addressing the rekindled friendship with Kohli, Gambhir stressed that their relationship should be respected as a private matter. He expressed admiration for Kohli’s outstanding batting prowess and acknowledged his crucial role in RCB’s success throughout the IPL season.
