Former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has given an important suggestion to Kolkata Knight Riders regarding Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. He joined the franchise as mentor before the IPL 2024, and the team went on to win the title on his return. However, he parted ways with the three-time champions to replace Rahul Dravid as coach of the Indian National Cricket Team. Kolkata have been struggling since then and are in ninth place in the IPL 2026.
Modi highlighted the importance of Gambhir. He urged the Knights to give the Chief Strategist post to the legendary cricketer and mentioned that KKR must offer all incentives to the veteran to bring him back.
Gambhir was KKR captain when he led the team to two titles in 2012 and 2014, and returned as mentor in 2024.
“That @GautamGambhir – without an iota of doubt in my mind – was the best person for @KKRiders. The team management needs to do whatever, and I say it again, whatever it takes to lure him back. Incentivise him, like Shane Warne had equity options,” he wrote. “Lock him in for a long, long term – give him stock options. I hope they are smart enough to do that. He does not fall within the player auction purse – get him to be the face of the team. There needs to be a player face of the team. Gautam should be KKR’s main strategist globally. No one better,” he added.
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Kolkata finished 8th in 2025 and are winless in the ongoing 19th season. Abhishek Nayar is the new head coach, and he replaced Chandrakant Pandit. Abhishek has done well in supporting roles, but he hasn’t been able to justify the post of head coach. He suffered a similar failure with UP Warriorz in WPL 2026.
Ajinkya Rahane, who has been leading KKR for two years, hasn’t been impressive as a leader. He has been making tactical errors this season and is often seen losing his cool with reporters. Injuries have also impacted Kolkata. Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are out of the season while there is no information on Matheesha Pathirana’s availability.
KKR fans would want Gambhir’s return, but it looks impossible at the moment, considering his contract with the Indian team. His current stint will end after the 2027 World Cup. Meanwhile, KKR are on a four-day break before they take on the Chennai Super Kings on April 14.
