Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Gautam Gambhir – whose recent statement about sportsmen not needing publicity through Bollywood raised eyebrows – went a step ahead and said that team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan’s absence or presence during IPL matches doesn’t matter to the team.
“Our owners have nothing to do with what we do on the cricket field. We have never thought whether Shah Rukh is present or not. I believe people should know the team by what they do on the field,” said Gambhir, on the eve of the match against Mumbai Indians here at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.
KKR is on top of the table and the skipper pointed that security and trust in players made them stronger.
“There is a lot of insecurity in the world these days, providing security to the players worked in our favour. We don’t leave players open in the auction after a season. There is a lot of freedom,” he added.
The men in purple have not changed much since their trophy win in 2014
“We don’t believe in chopping and changing; when we pick a player, we pick them with a lot of trust,” said the skipper.
The 34-year-old – a strict disciplinarian since his Team India days – lauded the youngsters for their courage.
“They are not afraid of anything now, it is a great exposure for them,” he said.
But when asked about his comeback in the Indian team, he ducked the question smartly shifting focus to Kolkata and IPL.
“My primary job is to score runs for KKR and help them win the title. I have not thought about rest, that’s how I have played my game,” said Gambhir, who already slammed two half-centuries in the ongoing season.
