In a recently held ceremony, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) launched their jersey for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Former KKR captain and current mentor, Gautam Gambhir made the event memorable with a heartfelt tribute to former teammate Ryan ten Doeschate, describing him as the “greatest team man” he has ever played alongside.
A Tribute to Ryan ten Doeschate
Ryan ten Doeschate, a former Netherlands cricketer, played for the Kolkata franchise from 2011 to 2015 after KKR signed him during the 2011 IPL auction.
Ten Doeschate became the first associate player to win a contract in the prestigious Indian T20 league. Over his tenure, the all-rounder scored 326 runs and took two wickets.
Gambhir spoke highly of ten Doeschate’s selflessness and contributive spirit during the jersey launch event. He reminisced about their first game together in 2011, where ten Doeschate was ready to step down and accommodate other players despite having had a fantastic 50-over World Cup.
Gambhir said, “When I talk about selflessness, the greatest team man I have ever played with, the most selfless human being, someone I can take a bullet for … In my first game as a KKR captain, we only had four overseas players available … He carried drinks in that game with no disappointment on his face. He taught me selflessness – Ryan ten Doeschate.”
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Ten Doeschate’s Impact and Future Roles
In November 2022, the Kolkata Knight Riders announced that ten Doeschate would serve as the fielding coach, a role that further cements his importance to the franchise.
Learning Experiences with KKR
Besides his effusive praise for Ryan ten Doeschate, Gambhir acknowledged the lessons he learned from his time with KKR and fellow cricketers like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Gambhir said, “I did not make KKR successful.
It was KKR that made me a successful leader … KKR for me was never about purple and gold … It was far more beyond that. First, KKR meant passion, it meant honesty, it meant sacrifice, and selflessness.”
Talking about Andre Russell, Gambhir credited him for teaching him many things about leadership. Moreover, Gambhir applauded Narine for displaying immense determination in facing setbacks, from being reported, banned to remodeling his action and consistently contributing to the team.
Significance of the 2024 Jersey Launch
The jersey launch event for the KKR team marked the initiation of an exciting season of IPL 2024 for the franchise. The event saw Gambhir reflecting on the values that KKR embodied for him and the invaluable impact of players like ten Doeschate, Russell, and Narine.
The final word, the anticipation builds for the upcoming IPL 2024 season, with the hopes, dreams, and expectations of KKR fans resting on the players, coaches, and especially the ‘greatest team man’ pointed out by Gambhir.
