The connection between Gautam Gambhir and Kolkata Knight Riders has been quite well known throughout the years. The former Indian cricket team batter was the most successful captain in the franchise's history as he led them to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles and in 2024, he returns to the side as the mentor. Another quite legendary association is that of Gambhir and team owner Shah Rukh Khan. While the heated conversation between Lucknow Super Giants team owner Sanjiv Goenka and skipper KL Rahul is dominating headlines, Gambhir showered praises on the Bollywood superstar and said that for him, SRK is the best owner he has ever worked with.
Gambhir was the team mentor at LSG in 2022 and 2023.
"I have a fabulous relationship with him. For me, he is the best owner I have worked with. And the reason is not just that he is humble, he is pretty grounded," Gambhir said on Sportskeeda.
"I don't think he has ever interfered in cricketing matters and it is a very big thing for someone like me because you get the freedom of decision-making. You have the freedom and trust that whatever decision I take, I know he's going to back me."
"And more importantly, that's why we have got the results as well. My relationship with him is fantastic and not just now but since I first joined KKR in 2011."
"But again as you said, SRK is an emotion, I think KKR is an emotion for me as well. That's why I feel that when any relationship starts on trust, that trust then goes a long way."
"It's the trust between us because I know he will never involve himself in cricketing matters and he knows that any decision I take will be in the best interests of the team and not for anything else," he added.