Gautam Gambhir’s Humorous IPL 2014 Duck Story

By Gurlal Singh

Cricket Player who is writing about cricket now.

Posted: February 4, 2025
Last updated: February 19, 2025

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In a candid retelling of events from the 2014 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Gautam Gambhir, then the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), shared a humorous incident that lightened the mood during a challenging phase for him. The current Team India head coach recalled how a suggestion from fellow cricketer Ashish Nehra turned into a funny anecdote amidst his tough start that year.

Gambhir began the IPL 2014 season with three consecutive ducks, raising eyebrows as he led KKR. Despite these initial setbacks, he managed to find humor in the situation. Ashish Nehra, in an attempt to offer support, jokingly advised Gambhir to eat duck for dinner. This light-hearted moment provided a respite as Gambhir addressed his initial failures on the cricketing pitch.

Despite the rough start, Gambhir remained steadfast in his role, crediting KKR team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his unwavering support. Even as Gambhir contemplated dropping himself from the playing XI, Khan’s encouragement played a pivotal role in maintaining his morale. This support contributed to KKR’s eventual turnaround in IPL 2014, culminating in their second T20 league victory.

Gambhir’s performance in the latter part of the tournament improved significantly. He scored 335 runs in 16 matches, with an average of 22.33 and a strike rate of 114.33. Notably, he achieved three half-centuries: 54 runs against Rajasthan Royals, 69 against Delhi Capitals, and an unbeaten 63 against Punjab Kings. His contribution also included 23 runs in the final against Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, sealing KKR’s triumphant season.

Despite the early challenges, Gambhir’s leadership and persistence paid off. In reflection, his cheerful recollection of Nehra’s advice highlights the importance of humor and camaraderie amidst professional stress. Beyond his playing career, Gambhir continues to influence Indian cricket, having served as a mentor for KKR’s 2024 IPL victory and now guiding Team India as their head coach.