Gautam Gambhir’s return to Kolkata Knight Riders stands out as a remarkable comeback. Over eight seasons, he led the team to three IPL trophies – a feat matched only by Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. Gambhir first achieved this success as both a player and captain by winning 2 IPL titles (2014 and 2016). Then, after a long time, he rejoined the franchise as a mentor, completing the trifecta that KKR had long anticipated.

Gambhir and SRK were once considered the most popular duo in the IPL. However, their paths diverged for several seasons. In 2017, Gambhir parted ways with KKR and returned to represent the Delhi Capitals. This turned out to be his final IPL season, as the former India batter soon announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. After a two-year stint as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, Gambhir has now returned to where he is most beloved- KKR.

Despite Gambhir’s absence from KKR, significant behind-the-scenes developments were unfolding. According to a Dainik Jagran report, Gambhir and Shah Rukh Khan held multiple meetings between 2018 and 2022, but their discussions never focused on cricket; until last year.

The Hindi daily reported that after Gambhir led LSG to consecutive playoff appearances, he first considered leaving the franchise. At that point, Shah Rukh intervened, inviting Gambhir to his home ‘Mannat’ for an extended conversation. It was then that Shah Rukh reportedly offered Gambhir a blank cheque, proposing that he rejoin the KKR family for the next 10 years.

Sanjiv Goenka, the LSG owner, was unaware of Gautam Gambhir’s plans to leave the franchise. When Jagran first reported that Gambhir was considering departing LSG, Goenka was caught off guard. In the interim, Gambhir had become convinced that he did not see a future with LSG, despite two reasonably successful seasons.

The report also stated that Shah Rukh Khan’s offer was so enticing that Gambhir ‘made up his mind’. Ultimately, Gambhir’s return to KKR was finalized last September, and the move paid off with a victorious IPL campaign for the Knight Riders under Gambhir’s leadership.

Shah Rukh Khan and Gautam Gambhir now face a significant challenge. Gambhir, who is reportedly the BCCI’s top candidate to become the next head coach of the Indian national team, risks losing his association with the KKR franchise. The BCCI’s ‘Conflict of Interest’ policy prohibits any individual from holding two high-profile cricket roles simultaneously.

If Gambhir accepts the India coaching job, which he is reportedly eager to do, he will have to relinquish his position with KKR, a franchise he is deeply passionate about. Until now, the situation is uncertain, but with KKR’s recent IPL title win under Gambhir’s leadership, the stakes have never been higher.

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