'There was, there is, there will be…only one!': Gautam Gambhir's internet-breaking post for IPL star

Gautam Gambhir returned to Kolkata Knight Riders before the start of the Indian Premier League 2024. Gambhir won two IPL titles as captain of KKR and returned to his beloved franchise after a gap of several years. KKR had failed to a win a single championship since Gambhir's departure and looked to bring back the title-winning mentality with Gambhir's return.

And it looks like things have worked as KKR are currently 2nd in the IPL 2024 Points Table with 4 wins in 6 matches. KKR lost to Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday on the very last ball despite leading the match for the majority. It was a tough pill to swallow for KKR as Jos Buttler's brilliance took the match away from the home side. 

Nonetheless, KKR look like a championship-winning side now after some changes in the off-season. Sunil Narine opening for Kolkata Knight Riders in this IPL has proved to be a masterstroke. Narine smashed his maiden T20 hundred on Tuesday, a 56-ball 109 against Rajasthan Royals.

His form at the top this season has been nothing short of remarkable considering he aggregated just 154 runs over the past three seasons while batting lower down the order. As an opener this season, he has already collected 276 runs in six games. And GG has recognised his brilliance as lauded him on X.com

IPL 2024: Rinku Singh credits Gambhir for Narine's transformation

Rinku Singh reckons credit for the West Indian's move up the order should go to team mentor Gautam Gambhir. After scoring a memorable hundred at the Eden Gardens, Narine gave due credit to former captain Gambhir for making him open for the first time since 2017. In the post-match interaction, Rinku echoed Narine's words.

"You can see the way Narine is batting this time. In every match, he's making runs, opening the batting and that was his (Gambhir's) idea only," Rinku said.

Narine was unleashed as an opener under Gambhir's captaincy in 2017 when he smashed IPL's fastest fifty in 15 balls, a record that was gradually improved by KL Rahul (14), Pat Cummins (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13).

Narine also has a 13-ball 50 for Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League in their match against Chattogram Challengers in 2022.

Earlier he would just swivel his bat, but this time Narine is seen batting with skill and poise as his stroke-making in the arc has vastly improved.

Asked about the transformation, Rinku said: "Nothing much has changed. It's the result of his sheer hard work at the nets.

"I've just noticed one change -- he's more patient now. Earlier he used to swing his bat to every ball, now he has restrained himself and playing according to the merit of the ball. He is batting thoughtfully and wisely." But Narine's century went in vain as Jos Buttler (107 not out; 60b) showed his masterclass to single-handedly steer Rajasthan Royals to an eight-wicket win in the final ball of the match.

"It happens sometimes but it won't impact much. Our team is doing very well. We are not thinking much (about the loss). Credit to RR they did well. Also, you need a bit of luck in your favour. It was there day. Buttler innings was the turning point. Full credit goes to him," Rinku said.

With the KKR top-order going strong this time, the finisher Rinku, who was KKR's leading rungetter in IPL 2023 with 474 runs at 59.25, is not getting much opportunities.

This season Rinku has an aggregate of 83 runs at 27.66 and is yet to score a fifty. But his strike-rate has been a handsome 184-plus.

"Our top order batters are doing so well that I'm not getting much opportunities to show my batting this time." Rinku played as an Impact Sub on Tuesday and that was because of a niggle. "I had a niggle, I will be back to playing the full match against RCB on Sunday," he said.