Gautam Gambhir to lead KKR

Stylish Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir will be seen captaining the Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) side in the upcoming season of the cash rich Indian Premiere League (IPL), the team said on Monday.

Kolkata Knight Riders has formally announced that Gautam Gambhir will lead the team in the upcoming season of IPL in 2011, its official website said.

Making the announcement, the KKR CEO & MD, Venky Mysore said, “We are delighted that Gautam Gambhir will be leading our team. He is a thorough professional and his performance and leadership qualities speak for themselves.?

Skipper Gautam Gambhir, at his appointment said, “it’s a pleasure and an honor to lead the KKR team. I believe that the KKR management has put together a terrific team. I am looking forward to the season and feel very optimistic.”

Along with Gambhir, seven members of the KKR squad are currently playing in the World Cup: Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, Jacques Kaillis, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Ryan ten Doeschate, Shakib al Hasan and Eoin Morgan.

Gambhir will be stepping into the shoes of Sourav Ganguly who led the IPL squad of KKR in the third edition of the league in 2010.

Earlier, Ganguly was not retained by the KKR management and even he was unable to find any takers for the IPL season 4 during the auction in Jan.

IPL season 4 will commence from April.