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When Gautam Gambhir Led KKR To 2nd IPL Title In An Astounding Comeback Story

Gautam Gambhir with IPL 2014 trophy (X.com)Gautam Gambhir with IPL 2014 trophy (X.com)

On this day in 2014, Gautam Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their second IPL title, orchestrating one of the most memorable comebacks in the tournament's history. Following their maiden triumph in 2012, this victory solidified Gambhir's legacy as one of the most astute and resilient captains in the IPL.

KKR turned into a different beast under Gambhir's reign after they toppled defending champions CSK to lift their maiden IPL title in 2012. A season later, KKR struggled at the start of the 2014 IPL season, with just two wins in their first seven games.

However, with the chips falling, Gambhir injected a new wave of confidence and motivation among the unit as KKR ended up winning all of their 9 games in the second half. 

KKR's Greatest Comeback Story

KKR's momentum carried into the playoffs, where they defeated the Kings XI Punjab in Qualifier 1, booking their place in the final.

KKR again met  Punjab in the final, where Manish Pandey (94 off 50) and Yusuf Pathan (36 off 22) led the charge in a 200-run chase after Wriddhiman Saha (115*) propelled Punjab to 199, a highly competitive total in those days.

However, it all came down to Piyush Chawla in the death overs as the leg-spinner showcased his rare skills with the bat to wrap the chase with a four and a six in a dramatic finish. 

His 5-ball 13-run knock turned the tide in KKR's favour, and Gautam Gambhir scripted one of the greatest comeback stories of the IPL to lift his second title.