Shah Rukh Khan and Gautam Gambhir were instrumental in the success of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Consider this: on the three occasions that KKR clinched the IPL title, SRK, as the owner, had Gambhir by his side—first as captain in 2012 and 2014, and later as a mentor in 2024. It is understandable that KKR and SRK were not particularly pleased when Gambhir departed from the franchise to assume the role of head coach for the Indian national team following Rahul Dravid's tenure after last year's T20 World Cup.

KKR thrives on fostering a positive atmosphere within the team, a sentiment echoed by SRK's regular visits to the dressing room, whether in person or through audio messages. This supportive environment is a key factor in the team's current standing. Despite a mixed start to IPL 2025, the players exhibit unwavering enthusiasm, effort, and self-belief, qualities that persist even in Gambhir's absence. KKR all-rounder Ramandeep Singh reminisced about a memorable moment from the previous year involving King Khan. During a match against the Punjab Kings, KKR set an impressive target of 261/6, yet Punjab remarkably chased it down with eight balls to spare. Although this was a significant setback for KKR, Shah Rukh's words helped uplift the team's spirits in the dressing room.

"Our team maintained high morale. Every team aims to achieve that. Winning creates a positive atmosphere, but the true test comes when losses occur. In a match against Punjab Kings, they successfully chased down 260 runs against us. We questioned how much more we needed to score if we couldn't defend 260. Then Shah Rukh Khan held a team meeting, concluded by Gautam Gambhir, where they emphasized, 'It's all about you. You lost this match today, but you will win the next one.' They encouraged us to believe in ourselves, providing positive affirmations," Ramandeep shared with former India Under-19 cricketer Taruvar Kohli on his podcast.

The moment the team truly began to connect was palpable. It felt as though everyone had become part of a family. There was no finger-pointing or accusations regarding who was responsible for losing a match. Instead, each member focused on how they could contribute to the team's success. It fostered a collective mindset of "I can do it."

Why KKR stands out

Ramandeep's journey with KKR did not start from the beginning. He launched his IPL career with the Mumbai Indians three years ago. After participating in five matches in 2022, he found himself without any opportunities in 2023 and was eventually released. However, during the IPL 2024 auction, his luck changed when KKR successfully bid ₹20 lakh for him. Last season, he played 15 matches for KKR, accumulating 125 runs while batting at No. 7 or lower. Although his statistics were modest, the influence he had on the team was significant enough for KKR to retain him for ₹4 crore. His experience with KKR has been remarkable, and he cherishes every moment.

"After MI released me, I entered the auction. I felt fortunate that KKR chose me, allowing me to play under Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar. I also had the opportunity to work with Chandu sir. I began to strategize for myself. For the first time, I participated in a camp led by Nayar sir, where I batted for three consecutive hours. This experience was invaluable in preparing me for match situations in the IPL, particularly in relation to my specific role," he remarked.

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