The new Lucknow franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has included Gautam Gambhir in its support staff. The two-time IPL winning captain will join the team as a mentor.
This news has been approved by the franchise owner Sanjeev Goenka to Cricbuzz on Saturday (December 18). “Yes, we have taken him,” endorsed Goenka from the website.
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The appointment of Gautam Gambhir is the second major release from Goenka’s RPSG Group, which bought the franchise for Rs 7090 crore in October. The former Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals captain joins Andy Flower, who was earlier appointed the team’s head coach.
People close to both Goenka and Gambhir say they have been good friends and their cricket association has been planned for a long time. The World Cup-winning cricketers from Delhi have been a part of the preparation of the Lucknow team for a long time.
“Once Mr. Goenka bought the team, the relationship became formal and business,” said a common friend.
Along with Gambhir, his Delhi and Knight Riders teammate Vijay Dahiya has also joined the franchise. The former Indian wicketkeeper is expected to join as an assistant coach. Dahiya is currently the head coach of the Uttar Pradesh state team.
Welcoming Gambhir, Goenka praised the former India opener’s “immaculate career record”. “I respect his cricketing mind and look forward to working with him,” the franchise owner said in a statement.
Gautam Gambhir added, “Many thanks to Dr. Goenka and RPSG Group for giving me this wonderful opportunity in their setup. The fire of winning a competition still burns inside me, the desire to leave a succession of a winner still haunts me round the clock. Hours go on. I will not contest for the dressing room but for the soul and spirit of Uttar Pradesh.”
Read more:- Lucknow Appoints Andy Flower as Head Coach
The 40-year-old Gambhir, a ruling BJP MP, played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is in an impressive international career spanning nine years. He played IPL for 10 seasons in which he represented Delhi and Kolkata teams in 154 matches.
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