Gautam Gambhir, the former cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor, has had a fiery relationship with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. In a recent interview, Gambhir expressed his feelings about RCB, and it’s safe to say he didn’t hold back.
He stated, “One team which I wanted to beat every time and probably in my dreams was RCB.” When asked about the reason behind this intense rivalry, Gambhir didn’t hesitate: “Wanted to. Probably the second-most high-profile team and flamboyant team. The owner and the squad with Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers. Not won anything, still thought they won everything. Can’t take that kind of an attitude.”
Gambhir reminisced about some of KKR’s most memorable victories against RCB. The first game of the IPL, where Brendon McCullum demolished RCB with a score of 49 all out. Another remarkable match saw 100 runs scored in just 6 overs, a feat rarely achieved in the IPL. Despite RCB’s strong side and aggressive batting unit, Gambhir yearned to step onto the cricket field and beat them once again.
Last season, during an intense match in Bengaluru, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) narrowly defeated RCB by one wicket. Gambhir, as the LSG team mentor, provoked the home crowd with a ‘finger on his lips’ gesture. In the reverse fixture in Lucknow, Kohli returned the favor to the Lucknow crowd after an 18-run win. An on-field tussle ensued between LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq and Kohli, with Gambhir intervening to control the situation. Later, Kohli and Gambhir were seen in an embrace inside the dressing room.
Gambhir’s candid remarks highlight the fierce competition and emotions that define IPL clashes. As fans eagerly await the next RCB vs. KKR encounter, the rivalry between these two teams continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide. 🏏🔥