In the competitive arena of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stand out not just for their on-field prowess but also for the intriguing dynamics off the field.

Since the nascent days, KKR have been known for making bold decisions, be it showing the exit door to Sourav Ganguly, or going all guns blazing for Mitchell Starc in the IPL 2024 auction. Boldness has been a term associated with the two-time IPL champions.   The Return of Gautam Gambhir Their most recent bold move has arrived with a tinge of nostalgia, as Gautam Gambhir joined KKR as a mentor from Lucknow Super Giants. Gambhir's tenure with KKR was marked by strategic acumen and a leadership style that brought the team its much-celebrated wins in 2012 and 2014. His role has since evolved, stepping off the field to guide and nurture the next generation, and that bode great results in Lucknow, as they qualified for playoffs in the last two seasons. Gambhir has already made a stir since joining KKR. He was at the auction table when they went berserk for Mitchell Starc and bought him for a record price of Rs 24.75 crore. And since taking the field before the tournament, Gambhir has made his message clear, that the aim is to lift the IPL and bring back the glory days again. The Return of Shreyas Iyer With Gambhir as the mentor and Chandrakant Pandit as Head Coach, the immediate hierarchy transcends to Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Shreyas Iyer, taking the reins of captaincy, has shown considerable promise, hinting at the potential for leading them to future triumphs. He missed out on IPL 2023 with a back injury, but is set to lead the Knights this year. The pair know each other from the Delhi Capitals days. Back in 2018, Gambhir joined DC after his KKR stint and captained them for a few matches. After the results didn't go their way, Gambhir stepped down from captaincy and Shreyas took over the duties and took them to the Final that year. IPL 2024: Can Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer bring glory days at KKR? And as they reunite with Kolkata again, the dynamic between the two may have changed, but the connection has remained the same. The mentor-mentee bond is a testament to KKR's approach to leadership and team building. Gambhir's influence on Iyer goes beyond the basics of cricket, delving into the mental and strategic aspects of the game. Both are known for their passion and it is to be seen how the vibe transcends during the course. The impact of this relationship must impact the team's performance and the evolving leadership style of Iyer. The Indian player is currently facing a Litmus test. With his BCCI contract out of the window and uncertainty over India future, Iyer must step up in this IPL and give himself some momentum. The talent is undeniable, but Gambhir may help it to channel in the right direction. Gambhir spoke about treating everyone the same, as he stressed that there will be no senior-junior, domestic-overseas discrimination at KKR. The atmosphere in the team has always been jovial, irrespective of the results. The Knights Family, as they say, has strong bonds among players and staff, and Gambhir will have to intensify that further so that KKR can extract better outcomes on the field. The palpable feeling that KKR has evolved is not an overstatement at all. There was no Shreyas Iyer last year. Nitish Rana led the team and it showed brilliance in patches. KKR for IPL 2024: The Changes This year, Knight Riders have managed to filter out the surplus and the big-money flops from the team. Lockie Ferguson and Shardul Thakur - two expensive underperformers are shown the door. KKR invested a massive money on Mitchell Starc, but along with the Australian, have roped in a few other decent players as well. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Phil Salt may not have cost them a fortune, but they can prove to be excellent acquisitions. Also in terms of Indian players, the introduction of Ramandeep Singh, experienced Manish Pandey, KS Bharat, and someone talented such as Chetan Sakariya have bolstered KKR's arsenal significantly. And add Shreyas Iyer to that!   The season starts on 23rd March for Shreyas Iyer and company. They will welcome an old friend in Pat Cummins, who makes his IPL captaincy debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens. Gautam Gambhir will be in the KKR dugout, at 'his home', where 'he belongs'. Shreyas Iyer will also feel Kolkata as his home if they make a positive start. Gambhir has left politics to emphasize his cricketing roles, while Shreyas Iyer needs to resurrect himself after the recent blues. And make no mistake, Kolkata is in desperate need of an IPL win. The last one came a decade ago, and Gambhir was the leader back then. Manish Pandey played a brilliant knock in the Final. Things have fast-forwarded ten years and KKR must feel the time is now for the third star over the jersey crest. Gauti Da, as Gambhir is often known in Kolkata, has been their shining star over the years. Can Shreyas Iyer be the next chief in the City of Joy? Time will reveal. Sauradeep Ash Mykhel source: mykhel.com