IPL 2024 | "...that is what KKR has been doing": Rayudu on Kolkata's success

Ambati Rayudu (Pic: File Pic)

Former Cricketer Ambati Rayudu feels that IPL teams which allow their players to take "ownership" do better compared to those who leave decision-making in the hands of coaches.

While discussing what things can help the team's environment keep healthy, Rayudu cited the example of Kolkata Knight Riders' mentor Gautam Gambhir. Rayudu loves the way Gambhir gives freedom to his players and believes that is the reason behind KKR's success in the IPL 2024.

"If the coaches take a back-seat and work behind the scenes, and let the players take the ownership, and let the players have the freedom in order to perform on the ground, those are the sort of teams that excel, and that is what KKR has been doing," Rayudu, a veteran of 55 ODIs and six T20Is told Star Sports on Tuesday.

Previously, KKR won the titles in 2012 and 2014 under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy. In IPL 2024, Kolkata became the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

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Gambhir returned as KKR mentor in the IPL 2024 and his presence is being attributed to the team's resurgence after nearly a decade.

"Gautam Gambhir is just facilitating them and guiding them in the right direction... If you keep it simple, it is easy," added Rayudu, who has been part of six IPL-winning teams.

Former India player Harbhajan Singh also heaped praises on former KKR coach Brendon McCullum for keeping the environment positive in the dressing room despite the team winning or losing the matches.

"When I was part of KKR, Brendon was there. Brilliant coach. One of the top guys I have ever worked with. He was so positive in that dressing room. Whether you win or lose, he remained the same.

"We lost about 6-7 games at the start of that season, and we ended up qualifying for the final. I have not seen even a single change in Brendon McCullum when we were not winning and when we were winning," said Harbhajan about the former New Zealand cricketer, who left KKR in 2022 to become England Test coach.

He added that it was the duty of mentors and coaches to keep the players in a positive frame of mind. "He (McCullum) was just very humble, straightforward, and for him, everybody was equal. So that is what is very important to make sure the team is important. It is about those players going there and doing what they have to do to make sure they lift the cup.

"It is our duty as mentors or coaches to give them the best we can and keep them in good shape. Not just physically but also mentally because that plays a very big role."

(With PTI Inputs)