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Gautam Gambhir Sets Expectations for KKR’s ₹24.75 Crore Buy Mitchell Starc: ‘I Said at the Auction…

Many people hope that the next 2024 IPL season will be like coming home. With the return of former cricket stars Pat Cummins, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shreyas Iyer, the Indian Premier League this year seems set to be an IPL of comebacks. But Gautam Gambhir and Mitchell Starc, who are both back with the Kolkata Knight Riders, are the two most talked-about comebacks that are expected to eclipse everything and everyone around them. Of course, Gambhir and KKR have a lengthy history. Though Gambhir only began mentoring with the Delhi Capitals and subsequently the Lucknow Super Giants, the fans in Kolkata are going through an emotional roller coaster as he returns to the franchise he helped develop over ten years ago. In 2012 and 2014, Gambhir won two consecutive IPL titles with this same squad.

Both will be held to great expectations. First and foremost, Gambhir is anticipated to assist KKR in regaining their former glory, but Starc—who brought in an incredible price at the IPL 2024 auction table—will be under additional strain. With a successful bid of ₹24.75 crore, Starc overcame his Australian captain and teammate Pat Cummins, becoming only the second player in history to surpass the ₹20 crore mark. Even though Starc hasn’t participated in the IPL since 2015, Gambhir has very clear expectations for him as the season draws near. “I had already said on the auction table that I think [Starc] is an X-factor and that he will deliver. Furthermore, there is no price tag pressure. Upon his arrival in Kolkata on Thursday, media outlets stated that Gambhir expressed the hope that he could replicate his success in international cricket for KKR.

For Gambhir, KKR returns one that’s overflowing with emotions.

In addition to being the squad with the most straight victories by any club, Gambhir is KKR’s top scorer with 3345 runs from 122 matches at an average of 31.26. After finishing 2014 with nine straight victories, KKR defeated the Mumbai Indians in the season’s opening game. While Royal Challengers Bangalore eventually ended their dominant run, KKR proved to be a dangerous force, competing on par with the likes of the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. The odd thing is that, over time, KKR has lost its zing. Following their 7th-place finishes in 2022 and 2023, they last qualified for the playoffs in 2021.

Also Read: IPL 2024 Set for 5 Much-Awaited Comebacks: Franchises Receive Grand Boost in Title Charge

Gambhir can’t wait to get started and expressed his joy at rejoining the team he led to tremendous heights. Gambhir recently gave up his political career to focus on his cricket obligations. “For me, KCR is an emotion more than a franchise. “I hope I live up to the expectations, and we’ll do everything in our power to make Kolkata proud,” he continued.

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