Wanted a fresh perspective for KKR: Venky Mysore

The Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore has revealed the reason Dinesh Karthik was appointed the captain of KKR for IPL 2018. The franchise wanted someone who brings in fresh ideas with himself rather than someone who has already been a part of the camp for some time.

When Gautam Gambhir was let go by KKR and they retained Robin Uthappa by using the Right to Match (RTM) card, people thought it’s Uthappa who is going to take over the captaincy as he already knows the environment of KKR and would have a better repertoire with the management and the coaching stuff in comparison to a player like Karthik who is only new to the franchise. But in a surprise move, KKR preferred Karthik over Uthappa for the captaincy role.

KKR were keen to use RTM for Gambhir

“One of our objectives was to achieve change which Karthik represents as he brings a fresh perspective. At the same time, we wanted continuity as well, which Robin represents as he has been with KKR since 2014. So we feel we have the best of both worlds.” Venky Mysore was quoted saying by Hindustan Times.

Mysore also talked about KKR’s association with Gautam Gambhir and admitted that the franchise was still keen to secure the services of the left-hander in the auction through RTM for the fact that he’s been such a senior statesman and would have added a lot to experience to the KKR’s ranks again, but Gambhir, on his part, was probably not as keen and was looking forward to a different challenge with a different franchise.

“Retention rules made it difficult for us to retain more than two players. So we were hoping to get him (Gambhir) back in the auction even if it meant using an RTM. But I think he wanted a different challenge.”

Gambhir joined the KKR set-up in 2011 and in his 6-year stint for the men in purple and gold, he led them to two successful IPL campaigns in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

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