IPL 2018 Auction: KKR reveal why they didn't retain Gautam Gambhir

In an interesting turn of events, KKR did not use their Right to Match (RTM) option to retain Gautam Gambhir who skippered the side to both their title wins. During the ongoing auctions at Bengaluru, Gambhir was bought by Delhi Daredevils (DD) for Rs 2.8 crore. And many were left surprised that KKR did not use RTM as the amount was comparatively much less to what he had earned in the past.

Having led the franchise to two IPL titles, Gambhir shared a special bond with the city of Kolkata. The left-hander was bought by KKR for $2.4 million in 2011, the most expensive buy of the auction that season.The same year he was named the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team’s captain. Since then he had successfully plied his trade for seven years.

However, in the aftermath of this diabolical decision, KKR have revealed that Gautam Gambhir had asked them not to bid for him or use RTM card at the auctions. Speaking during the auction, after Gambhir was picked by the Daredevils, KKR’s CEO Venky Mysore clarified what had happened between the left-hander and them.

KKR CEO clears all ambiguity

According to Ibtimes, Mysore was quoted saying, “First of all congratulations (to DD). Best wishes to Gauti (Gambhir). He has done a brilliant job for us and big thanks for everything he has done. Just to clarify, he was very much in our plans for the auction, Right to Match. He had a conversation with us well before (the auction) and there might be a different challenge (for him).

Venky added, “We don’t know what it was. And had requested if we could refrain from bidding for him or using Right to Match. We said, ‘listen we will never come in the progress of anyone or anyone’s aspirations’. It is a new challenge he wanted. Sorry to see him go. Seven great years. I think he will be fantastic for Delhi.”

You can see the video below

A special message from our CEO @venkymysore for former #Knight #GautamGambhir! #KorboLorboJeetbo #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/RmCSyEFMHv

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 27, 2018