Kolkata Knight Riders under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership had conquered new frontiers from 2011 to 2017: reached the IPL playoffs five times, won two IPL titles, besides making it to the Champions League T20 final in 2014.

Following a hiatus, Gambhir is back, as mentor this time to revive his legacy which had disintegrated in the subsequent period. But will his magic wand bring about a change in the Knights’ dwindling fortunes this time? There is hope and trepidation.

If the aspirations stem from a strong squad, there’s apprehension about his working relationship with head coach Chandrakant Pandit. Even the legendary Sunil Gavaskar had cast doubts if they would gel as a combination since both are “strong personalities”.

But both are hard-core professionals and their commitment is beyond doubt. Gambhir and Pandit have their responsibilities cut out and have already forged a good working relationship. It showed in how they took turns in delivering the pep talk inside the team huddle at Eden Gardens during the first practice session last Friday.

Gambhir isn’t one to mince words.

“You guys are representing a very successful franchise. Make sure you train that way, you play that way and you carry that attitude around the field,” he told the players. “We have got one mission and that is to win this IPL.”

There has been very little success for KKR since Gambhir left, though they made the final in 2021 following a staggering comeback in the UAE leg. The former captain knows he has a near-settled line-up in place with a solid Indian batting core coming together in the form of Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh.

Shreyas’ fitness will be the key since he has been troubled by back spasms since
the England series. His workload will be monitored but if he can hold the innings together at No.4, they have enough firepower in the middle and slog overs to forge intimidating totals.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Phil Salt will form an explosive opening pair with
Venkatesh Iyer coming in at No.3. Salt has been a late addition to the squad but the world’s No.2 T20I batter has the skills to upset calculations on docile tracks.

The presence of Rinku and Russell provides them with two finishers who can tilt the scales at any time. They are a destructive combination with Rinku entering the season with high expectations and the experience of being a capped India cricketer.

Mitchell Starc has grabbed the most eyeballs following a record Rs 24.75-crore deal and will play a significant role in the Powerplay and death overs. Their pace attack comprising Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana and Chetan Sakariya is inexperienced and the Australian’s match-winning abilities will be tested to the hilt. Trust Russell to also pitch in with his useful spells in short bursts to break a partnership.

One aspect of Gambhir’s golden run at Eden Gardens was the spinners’ success on the low and slow wicket. The trio of Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Suyash Sharma will be the key this time. Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been a useful addition.

The choice of the Impact Sub when batting second could be a bit tricky for KKR. Manish Pandey’s presence will provide the think-tank with an option and Gambhir will be keen to rely on his old warhorse.

Gambhir has promised no discrimination in his treatment of players. Only one aspect will count: performance. “Everyone in this group will be treated equally. There’s no senior junior. There is no domestic, or international,” he reminded the players.

KKR has always been very close to Gambhir’s heart. “I did not make KKR successful, it was KKR that made me a successful leader,” he maintains.

Six years since his departure, it will be payback time for the hugely under-rated leader in Indian cricket.

Know the team

X-factor

Shreyas’ fitness: There have been concerns over his back spasms and his presence at No.4 would go a long way in shaping their fortunes.

Russell impact: His power hitting is very important in the lower order along with his medium pace as a sixth bowling option.

Starc factor: As the pace spearhead, his ability to pick wickets in the Powerplay will be of huge importance.

New signings

Mitchell Starc, Manish Pandey, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sherfane Rutherford, Chetan Sakariya, Ramandeep Singh, Phil Salt.

Last year

Seventh.

Best finish

Champions in 2012, 2014.