IPL 2022 | I would want Rahul to take risks - Gautam Gambhir

Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir wants KL Rahul to take calculated risks as a leader in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Speaking to PTI in an exclusive interview, the two-time IPL-winning skipper spoke at length about his expectations from Rahul- the captain. 

Terming Rahul as the ‘flag-bearer’ of the team, the former opener stated that he wants the Karnataka cricketer to lead from the front with his primary skill i.e batting rather than being a non-performing captain.

He also added that Rahul will be given full freedom as captain besides adding that the presence of an established wicketkeeper like Quinton de Kock will relieve him of additional responsibility, which wasn’t the case at Punjab Kings.

“Ultimately, it is the leader who is the flag-bearer of a team and so it’s Rahul who will lead Lucknow Super Giants on and off the field. For me, it is important to have KL Rahul the batter, who is also the captain of the team rather than KL Rahul, the captain, who also bats. I hope I am able to make you understand the difference,” said Gambhir as quoted by PTI.

He added, “Any captain should learn to take risks. I would want Rahul to take risks and unless you take calculated risks, you won’t know if you would succeed or not. Also this time, Quinton de Kock will be our wicketkeeper, so with no keeping duties, he can be free and relaxed, concentrate on his batting and leadership,”

Lucknow have accumulated an array of multi-dimensional cricketers including Krunal Pandya and Deepak Hooda.

On the benefits of having multi-dimensional cricketers in the set-up, Gambhir said, “It always helps to have multi-dimensional cricketers as they give you more options. It’s always good to have batters, who can chip in with two or three overs.”

Hooda and Krunal share an ugly past but Gambhir believes that it’s not a necessity for teammates to be friends and that the duo is mature enough to put their differences aside once they step onto the field.

“Look, you don’t have to be best friends off the field to perform on it. They are professionals and they know that they have a job to do. You don’t have to go out for dinner every night if you are playing for the same team. I have not been friends with everyone in every team that I have played in,”

“But that hasn’t stopped me from giving my best when I am out there on the field. These are matured people and they know they are here to win matches for Lucknow,” he added.

Lucknow Super Giants will make their debut against Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium on March 28.