Gautam Gambhir, the mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has praised star all-rounder Sunil Narine for his exceptional performance in the IPL 2024. Narine was instrumental in KKR’s triumph over SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final, earning the title of ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the season. Under Gautam Gambhir guidance, Narine rediscovered his best form, scoring 488 runs and taking 17 wickets. Gambhir highlighted the significant role Narine played in their victory, demonstrating his outstanding abilities both with the bat and the ball.
The Beginning of a Strong Bond
Gambhir shared insights into his relationship with Narine, reflecting on their early days at KKR. He recalled Narine’s first IPL season in 2012 when the team was in Jaipur for practice. Gambhir invited the shy Narine to lunch, where Narine’s first question was, “Can I bring my girlfriend to the IPL?” This marked the beginning of their camaraderie. Gambhir, who captained KKR to victories in 2012 and 2014, noted that he and Narine share similar personalities and emotions, which helped forge a strong bond between them.
A Relationship Beyond Teammates
Over the years, Gambhir and Narine’s relationship has grown from mere teammates to something more akin to brotherhood. Gambhir expressed that Narine, initially very quiet, has become someone he can talk to about anything. He emphasized that their bond goes beyond friendship or team dynamics; they see each other as brothers, always ready to support one another. Gambhir appreciates Narine’s steady demeanor, highlighting how they both prefer to stay calm and focused on their tasks without much fanfare.
Narine: KKR’s True MVP
Gambhir firmly believes that Narine has always been KKR’s ‘Most Valuable Player’, regardless of official titles. He pointed out that Narine’s contributions go beyond statistics, as his presence and performance have been crucial to KKR even before the season began. Gambhir is confident that Narine still has much to offer to both KKR and the cricket world. He praised Narine’s all-rounder talent and expressed his belief that the cricketer’s future contributions will continue to be significant for the team.
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