KKR told to bring back Gautam Gambhir and make him 'face of the team': 'Whatever it takes to...'

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are in a perilous state in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season. Under Ajinkya Rahane's leadership, the three-time IPL champions have struggled to pick up a single victory in the tournament so far.

In the four matches they have played so far, the Kolkata Knight Riders have lost three matches on the trot. Despite the defeats, KKR have secured a point, courtesy of the Punjab Kings fixture being abandoned due to rain.

KKR's recent downfall has triggered immense social media chatter, with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi making his voice heard over the scenario.

Lalit Modi wants KKR to bring back Gautam Gambhir

While responding to a fan on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Lalit Modi argued to bring Gautam Gambhir back into the IPL franchise for the long term and also pondered the option of giving stock incentives. He further expressed that his involvement would be crucial for the team's success while also advocating for him to become the team's primary strategist.

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"That I agree. That @GautamGambhir WITHOUT AN IOTA of Doubt In my mind he was the BEST PERSON for @KKRiders - the team management needs to do WHATEVER and I say it again WHATEVER IT TAKES To LURE him back. Incentivise him. Like Shane Warne had equity options. Lock him in for a LONG LONG TERM- GIVE him STOCK OPTIONS - I hope they are smart to do that. He does not fall within Player Auction Purse - get him to be the face of the TEAM - There needs to be A PLAYER FACE OF THE TEAM. Gautam should be Kkr’s MAIN STRATEGIST GLOBALLY. NO ONE BETTER," Lalit Modi wrote on social media.

KKR's latest defeat dents fans' hopes

KKR is coming off a loss to LSG, with their middle-order batter Mukul Choudhary delivering a heroic performance and stealing the show at the Eden Gardens. Additionally, the venue was half-empty, despite the region being a popular sports hub and having a strong fan base. It was a surprising sight to witness in Kolkata 

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders have a chance to turn things around when they face the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.