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“Will You Be The Coach?” When Sunil Narine Asked Gambhir Before T20 WC 2024 Comeback Call

Jatin

Sunil Narine and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Ctrlmemes_/x.com]Sunil Narine and Gautam Gambhir [Source: @Ctrlmemes_/x.com]

Sunil Narine may have hung up his international boots in 2023 but his magic on the field hasn’t faded one bit. After a sensational season in IPL 2024 where he smashed 488 runs at a strike rate of 180.74 and picked up 17 wickets at an economy of just 6.69, the West Indies camp went into full desperation mode, trying to pull him out of retirement.

Sunil Narine Said He Would Play T20 World Cup Only If Gambhir Was Windies Coach

And now, a new twist in that story has come to light, thanks to journalist Vimal Kumar, who revealed a brilliant behind-the-scenes moment involving Narine and his former captain-turned-mentor Gautam Gambhir in a conversation with Sony Sports Network.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 being co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, there was massive pressure on the Windies to deliver on home turf. So naturally, Rovman Powell, along with the likes of Pollard and Bravo, tried their best to convince Narine to wear the maroon jersey one last time.

But the mystery spinner wasn’t having any of it. Despite repeated requests, Narine stood firm. The Caribbean stars were running out of ideas until someone had a lightbulb moment: “Ask Gambhir.”

During a casual net session, Gambhir walked up to Sunil Narine and made the pitch himself. After all, the two share a deep bond. Under Gambhir’s captaincy, Narine helped KKR win IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and in 2024, the duo reunited, this time with Gambhir as mentor and took home the trophy once again.

So what did Narine say when Gambhir made the request?

“I will play... but will you be the coach?”

That is the kind of unfiltered respect Narine has for Gambhir.

Windies Fell Short Without Narine

In the end, Narine stuck to his decision and didn’t return for the T20 World Cup 2024. West Indies, missing its X-factor, couldn’t go all the way. They were knocked out in the Super Eight stage, losing crucial matches against England and South Africa.

You can’t help but wonder if Narine had played, would things have been different? His all-round form in IPL 2024 suggests so.

While the world wanted one last glimpse of Sunil Narine in maroon, the man chose to walk away on his own terms. But this little nugget about his bond with Gambhir? It says everything. Because for Narine, it wasn’t just about playing cricket, it was about who he played it for.