Gautam Gambhir Lashes Out At KKR Management For Letting Off Suryakumar Yadav From Franchise   

A day after IPL 2020 final match, former skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Gautam Gambhir lashed out at his previous franchise for letting go of talented players like Suryakumar Yadav. 

Gambhir's comment and anger comes at a time when Suryakumar Yadav has become the biggest match-winner for Mumbai Indians (MI). He has played 16 matches in IPL 2020, scoring 480 runs, which is the second-most for MI this year behind Quinton de Kock.

Before joining MI in 2018, Suryakumar was with KKR and had spent four seasons with them. His fortune changed after coming on board with MI as in 2018, Surya scored 512 runs and followed it with 424 more the year later.

So after losing Suryakumar, Gambhir calls it ‘KKR’s biggest loss’. “Suryakumar Yadav is not easily earned by Mumbai Indians. He’s probably the biggest loss that KKR has ever had in 13 years. Someone who was young, came into KKR, played for four years, obviously couldn’t get the number where he should have batted at because of the batting line up we had at that time,” Gambhir told ESPNCricinfo.

“Manish Pandey was batting at No. 3 but he was batting at No. 6 or 7. KKR could have easily built around Suryakumar Yadav. He was the vice-captain when he was leading the side. Made him the vice-captain so that there was easy transition. I could see that leadership quality with Surya,” Gambhir said.
Further talking about Suryakumar's selfless act on the field for Rohit Sharma. Gambhir further said.

“Very selfless guy, you make him bat at No. 6 or 7. He can bat at any number. There will never be a phase where he’d like to bat at 3. And that is the kind of players you want." 

“Probably the biggest loss till now. Yes, players have moved from one franchise to another. Chris Gayle went to some other franchise and there are many other players. But probably for me the biggest loss till now KKR is ever had is probably letting go, Suryakumar Yadav, because you don’t get Indian players with that kind of talent,” Gambhir angrily added.

Later lauding Suryakumar for his leadership qualities, theformer KKR captain concluded saying, “We still haven’t seen his leadership quality. He’s got a great head on his shoulder. He knows how to lead a side. Going forward, I’m sure Surya will take charge of this side if he stays with Mumbai Indians."