Lucknow Super Giants Mentor Gautam Gambhir To NDTV: "KL Rahul's Biggest Burden Will Be Pressure To Perform And Not Price Tag"
KL Rahul is being paid a whopping 17 crore by the franchise and there is bound to be some pressure on the opening batter. But Gambhir said that as mentor it is his job and that of the support staff to help Rahul focus on his performances and not on the price tag he comes with.
The Lucknow Super Giants team is getting ready for its maiden Indian Premier League season and the preparations began earlier this year when the franchise named former India opener and two-time IPL winning captain Gautam Gambhir as its mentor. Former Zimbabwe captain and England coach Andy Flower has been roped in head coach and there are a host of other seasoned members who are part of the support staff. Franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka and Gambhir spoke exclusively with NDTV on Monday, where they spoke about their plans for the upcoming mega IPL auction and the rationale behind picking KL Rahul as the captain of the team.
KL Rahul is being paid a whopping 17 crore by the franchise and there is bound to be some pressure on the opening batter. But Gambhir said that as mentor it is his job and that of the support staff to help Rahul focus on his performances and not on the price tag he comes with.
"It is for the support staff to make him feel free. The biggest burden will not be the price tag but the pressure to perform," Gambhir said.
Talking about the strategy for the upcoming auction, Gambhir said that the franchise is looking for players who will prioritise playing for the franchise during the IPL over everything else.
"We want players who are honest, want to play for the franchise and who do not think of playing for India in those two months. Playing for India is a by-product. We want performances for Lucknow," the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain said.
Team owner Sanjiv Goenka said that picking Rahul as captain was a no brainer due to his record. He also threw light on the decision regarding picking young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as one of the draft picks.
"Appointing KL as captain was no brainer. We approached him and there was meeting of minds. I am very impressed with his cool approach and unflappable temperament. He is not very expressive and that's also the way I am," Goenka said.
"Gautam suggested we go in with an uncapped player. Bishnoi is a wicket-taker and an outstanding fielder. The combination is very good," he added.
When asked whether having the vice-captain of the Indian white-ball team as captain of the Super Giants will add to the team's brand value, Goenka said that it victories that will build the team's brand.
"If you have more players of the national team in the IPL team, it will add to brand value. Eventually what will enhance brand value is wins. One needs to perform to win and compete effectively," Goenka said.
The franchise on Monday revealed the logo of the side ahead of the 2022 mega auction. The franchise said that its brand identity draws inspiration from ancient Indian mythology. "The mythical bird Garuda- who is a protector and enthroned with the power to move swiftly, has inspired us to create the winged emblem of the team. Garuda is omnipresent in every Indian culture and sub-culture," Lucknow Super Giants said in a statement.
Gautam Gambhir
KL Rahul