Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, now the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders, has disclosed that he had a feeling Sunil Narine would turn into a T20 legend when he witnessed the West Indian's debut series back in 2011. Despite facing him for the first time during that series and seeing him go wicketless, Gambhir was convinced that Narine would be his go-to bowler for KKR in IPL 2012. His prediction came true as Narine emerged as a mystery bowler for KKR, helping them clinch their maiden IPL title that year and being a crucial part of their two other title wins in 2014 and 2019. Gambhir has now returned to KKR as a mentor and believes that their mantra for this season should be to be courageous.
Sunil Narine: A T20 Legend Propelled by Gautam Gambhir's Vision
Sunil Narine, the enigmatic West Indian spinner, has established himself as one of the greatest T20 bowlers of all time. His journey to stardom was marked by an astute observation made by former India cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir.
The Early Years and Gambhir's Prediction
Narine made his international debut in 2011 during an ODI series against India. Despite going wicketless, Gambhir recognized the bowler's potential. He later disclosed that he felt Narine would become "a T20 legend" based on that performance.
The KKR Years: A Story of Unparalleled Success
In the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Gambhir brought Narine to KKR. The spinner proved to be a revelation, bowling with a unique blend of mystery and deception. He helped KKR win their maiden IPL title that year, and played a crucial role in their subsequent triumphs in 2014 and 2019.
Gambhir's Mentor Role and the Mantra for Success
After retiring from cricket, Gambhir returned to KKR as a mentor in 2023. He has emphasized that the team's mantra for the upcoming season should be "courage." He believes that KKR needs to play with aggression and never shy away from taking risks.
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