IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi had recently urged Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to bring back India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid his poor form. Modi said the franchise should appoint Gambhir as global strategist to strengthen its structure and improve long-term planning for future success.
The Kolkata franchise is struggling under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane in the current IPL season. Fans remember Gambhir’s successful era and believe that he is the best person to guide the team, restore confidence, improve consistency and bring back the winning momentum for the franchise.
Lalit Modi demands action from Kolkata Knight Riders
Lalit Modi believes that Kolkata Knight Riders should make every possible effort to bring back Gautam Gambhir. He also recommended Gambhir to sign a contract outside the standard auction purse limit to ensure a long-term partnership with the team.
Lalit Modi wrote, “I agree with this. Gautam Gambhir, without any doubt in my mind, was the best man for @KKRiders – whatever the team management has to do, I will say again. Incentivize him. Just like Shane Warne had equity options.”
“Lock him up for a long time – give him stock options – I hope they are smart to do that. That player doesn’t fall under the ambit of the auction – make him the face of the team – there has to be a player face of the team. Gautam has to be the chief strategist of KKR at the world level. There is no one better than him.”
That I agree. He @GautamGambhir Without a doubt in my mind he was the best man @KKRiders – Whatever the team management needs to do and I say again, whatever needs to be done to lure him back. cheer her up. Like Shane Warne had equity options. Shut it down for a while… https://t.co/DAdfCCvmqN
– Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) 10 April 2026
Board rules prevent Gautam Gambhir’s comeback
Gautam Gambhir is currently the head coach of the Indian national team. Board of Control for Cricket in India rules do not allow the India head coach to work with any IPL franchise at the same time. Gambhir took up the position in July 2024 and is contracted till 2027.
Under Gambhir’s leadership, India has enjoyed strong success in the white-ball formats. The team won the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup. India have also been unbeaten in the T20I series since his appointment as head coach.
However, India has struggled in Test cricket during this period. They won series against Bangladesh and West Indies, but lost against New Zealand and South Africa at home. The five-match Test series against England in the UK ended in a 2-2 draw.
Gautam Gambhir’s bold move makes Sunil Narine an explosive opener for KKR
Major credit for promoting Sunil Narine as an opening batsman goes to Gautam Gambhir. Narine first opened for the Melbourne Renegades in the 2016–17 Big Bash League season, where he scored 37 runs in three innings with a strike rate of 137 during the powerplay.
After opening for Kolkata Knight Riders, there was a big improvement in Narine. He scored 222 runs in 2017 and 343 runs in 2018. His best season came in 2024, when he scored 488 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 180.7.
Narine also scored his first T20 century in 2024, helping Kolkata Knight Riders win their third title. He continued to open in 2025 and scored 246 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 170.8. However, KKR is currently opening with Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen.
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