Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clinched their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on May 26, in the final of the 2024 season. Their initial two trophies came in 2012 and 2014 under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, whose arrival in 2011 was a turning point for the Kolkata Knight Riders, transforming them from underdogs into a formidable powerhouse.
Despite his success, Gambhir left Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2018 IPL auction to join the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). After a single season with the Delhi franchise, he retired from all forms of cricket. He then served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons.
Gautam Gambhir’s contributions, both as a captain and a prolific run-scorer, earned him the status of Kolkata Knight Riders’s adopted son, akin to MS Dhoni‘s relationship with Chennai Super Kings. Many believed that Gambhir’s return as a coach/mentor could propel Kolkata Knight Riders to another title.
Their hopes were realised when Gambhir rejoined Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor for the 2024 season, leading to the team’s long-awaited third title. Following the epic victory, it was reported that Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan presented Gambhir with a blank cheque, urging him to stay with the franchise for at least another decade, at any price he desired.
Check out Gautam Gambhir’s net worth
Gautam Gambhir was one of the key members of the Indian Cricket Team from 2003 to 2016. According to Sportskeeda and publicly available data, he has an estimated net worth of Rs 205 crore.
India career
Gambhir made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2003, and his Test debut the following year against Australia. He was instrumental in India’s victories in the 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 Cricket World Cup finals. He played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, with batting averages of 41.95, 36.98, and 27.41, respectively. His earnings from international cricket contributed significantly to his wealth.
Political career
After retiring from cricket, Gambhir ventured into politics in 2019, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and winning a seat in the Lok Sabha from East Delhi. According to Mint, the income tax returns filed by the former Indian cricketer showed an annual income of aorund Rs 12.40 crore, making him the wealthiest candidate in Delhi’s Lok Sabha elections. His wife, Natasha, reported an income of Rs 6.15 lakh. Gambhir quit politics in March 2024 ahead of the IPL season.
Commentary and various brand endorsements
Gambhir transitioned into a part-time cricket commentator post-retirement, earning around Rs 1.5 crore annually from his commentary roles, according to Sportskeeda. He also endorses brands like CricPlay, a fantasy gaming platform, and Redcliffe Labs, a diagnostic centre, which contribute to his annual income.
Gautam Gambhir’s expensive assets
