MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir.
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Ex India batter Robin Uthappa drew comparisons between the leadership styles of Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoniemphasizing how both cricketers support their players in the dressing room. The former Kolkata batsman praised Gambhir for KKR’s resurgence in IPL 2024noting the mentor’s influence on the improved performances of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.
Robin Uthappa experienced playing under both MS Dhoni’s and Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy in the IPL, being a member of title-winning KKR and CSK teams. He was part of the victorious CSK team led by MS Dhoni in 2021 and continued with the Super Kings in 2022, revitalizing his IPL career under the legendary captain’s guidance.
“I have always maintained that MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir are very similar leaders, they might seem opposites as characters, but they are very similar as leaders,” Uthappa told JioCinema.
Uthappa secured the Orange Cap for the Knight Riders in 2014 by scoring 660 runs, playing a crucial role in their championship-winning campaign that year. He remained the only Orange Cap winner to also lift the IPL trophy until 2021, when Ruturaj Gaikwad achieved the same feat with the Super Kings.
Robin Uthappa emphasized Gautam Gambhir’s exceptional man management skills, stating that the former India opener’s support likely played a crucial role in enabling Narine and Russell to perform at their best. Gambhir returned to KKR for the first time since 2017, now serving as the mentor for the two-time champions.
Sunil Narine has been in outstanding form with the bat since being reinstated as an opener. The former West Indies all-rounder has scored 461 runs, including a century, and taken 15 wickets for KKR this season.
“Just a conversation (to liberate Sunil Narine and Andre Russell). He understands very well what it takes to perform really well. They are match winners. And they have the sense of freedom to express themselves and also role clarity. Once it was offered to them and they knew they had the backing of someone like Gautam Gambhir, you could be free and not worry about their security within the group. He makes it very clear,” he added.
Kolkata are currently playing the Qualifier 1 against Hyderabad. SRH batting first were bundled out for 159. KKR will be aiming for their 4th IPL Final.
