India’s current Test Captain and opener Shubman Gill did not have a shocking exit number from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but it was about the mentality with the then team management headed by the current England head coach Brendon McCullum.
In IPL 2021, Delhi’s capitals at an empty stadium in Ahmedabad with Kolkata Knight Riders, with derogatory losses, former head coach Brendon McCullum made it clear that the top order is required to change the top order and to fast to return rapidly.
Shubman Gill’s real reason behind KKR exit finally revealed
While KKR’s struggles were clear, the spotlight rapidly changed towards the then opening pair Nitish Rana and Shubman Gill. Gill was severely criticized by McCullum and others at a slow pace of 43 in 38 delivery of Gill. McCullum said after harming DC: “If you cannot change a man, change the man.”
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Now, internal sources revealed that McCullum wanted fearless cricket, explosive shots, bold intentions and aggressive batting with former KKR captain Eoin Morgan.
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Despite his talent, the right -handed batsman was seen as a very conservative for that vision. It was not just a poor knock, but it was Gill’s style and McCullum’s all-out attacker philosophy, who played a major role behind his expulsion from Kolkata Knight Riders.
An internal formula was recalled, as quoted by Espncricinfo, “There was a clear disconnect between the style of management that the management wanted and what was being produced on the field in the first part of that season.”
How Brendon McCullum’s bold vision dropped Shubman Gill from KKR
When the season resumed in the UAE, the KKR team management did not make harsh changes, but quietly reorganized the batting order. Venkatesh Iyer, who fully matched the cricket of McCullum’s aggressive brand, was promoted to the top order, while Gill continued.
The change played an important role in the revival of KKR, winning five of their last seven group matches, but lost the final for Chennai Super Kings in 2021. And then, Gill suddenly found himself out of favor before the 2022 IPL mega auction. With only four perception slots available, KKR closed his power trio of Andre Russell, Sunil Narin, Varun Chakravarti and Venkatesh Iyer.
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Prior to the IPL 2022 mega auction, KKR’s head coach admitted that it was disappointing to let Gill go, but said it was a difficult call he had to do. McCullum had said, “It was disappointing to lose Shubman Gill. But the way life happens sometimes.”
Gujarat Titans changed the life of Shubman Gill after exiting KKR
In particular, after being ignored by KKR, Gill was signed in the mega auction by the new IPL team, Gujarat Titans. Since then, the Punjab boy has turned into a true IPL superstar. He helped GT win the IPL title in 2022, claimed Orange Cap in 2023, and was named captain in 2024.
At that time, a KKR official revealed that Gill’s exit was not due to any conflict, but only because they could maintain limited players only before 2022 mega auction. Now, he is India’s Test captain and is currently leading the team from the front in England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.