‘At this stage, want to be an elder statesman’

When Gautam Gambhir's name went under the hammer in 2011, the IPL auction was the last thing on his mind as the World Cup was round the corner. But once he had played his part in India's title triumph, he went on to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles. On the cusp of another mega auction, the firebrand opener is now ready to act as an "elder statesman" for any franchise that he turns up for.

"Back in 2011, I remember it was January and the only worry I had was whether I will be picked for the 50-over World Cup later that year or not. It was only on the day of the auction, I had a few butterflies in my tummy. Now, seven years later, I have a broader view to life and cricket," Gambhir told PTI before the auction scheduled on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.

"I am at a stage of my career where I want to be a senior statesman, a mentor to the younger cricketers. Whether that happens in KKR, Sunrisers, Delhi, Mumbai I am absolutely fine with it," Gambhir said. KKR has been a huge "emotional investment" for the World Cup winner and he admitted that it would be difficult if he doesn't wear the purple jersey again. The franchise has released him.

"Yes it will be, it will be tough as KKR gave a platform to express myself as a batsman, a leader, as a human. But at the end of the day I respect the call KKR has taken, they have some solid reasons behind the move which they have explained and I am fine with them. There are no hard feelings at all, may be there are fresh challenges waiting for me. I will be glad to accept them and turn things around. Lets see what happens," he said.