Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s mentor, has led the team to IPL glory through sheer gut instinct and unwavering support for uncapped Indian players. His former teammate Manvinder Bisla attests, “Gambhir can take a bullet for you if you are his match-winner.”

This strategy paid off spectacularly with players like Ramandeep Singh, who flourished under Gambhir’s belief in them, smashing 125 runs in just 62 balls from lower-order positions.

Bisla, a key figure in KKR’s 2012 victory, highlights Gambhir’s ability to give players a long rope, fostering confidence. “For him, it doesn’t matter if you are an international player or a domestic cricketer. If you are a match-winner, you will get all the support,” says Bisla.

Gambhir’s focus on role clarity and backing his players, even in tough times, transformed KKR’s fortunes. Sunil Narine, once struggling, emerged as a top performer under Gambhir's mentorship. “Gauti bhai is somebody who believes in results. He reads the game beautifully and reacts accordingly,” notes Piyush Chawla.

Rajat Bhatia underscores Gambhir’s winning-focused demeanor on the field contrasts with his relaxed, supportive nature off it, "Gautam has led Delhi to the Ranji Trophy title, then he led KKR to two IPL trophies. He understands what kind of atmosphere is needed in the team to win the tournament. He has done exactly the same again,” Bhatia says.

In a world where data dominates, Gambhir’s old-school, instinct-driven approach has proven to be a game-changer, propelling KKR to their latest IPL victory.