Gautam Gambir says he will not approach IPL with a view of making a comeback to the Indian side

Gautam Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper and out-of-favour India opener Gautam Gambhir has stated that he will not approach the IPL with a view of using it as a platform to make a come back into the national team.

Gambhir last played for India in January 2013 during an ODI against England and has lost his place in the national set-up due to poor form.

“Never,” was his reply when asked if he was looking at the IPL as a path to the Indian team.

“I have always said that I don’t look at such a platform for my comeback. My aim, as of now, is to do well for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and their fans. The fans have stuck with us in tough situations and hopefully we will do well this season,” said the KKR captain.

“I don’t play for comebacks and I always play to see my team win and that’s what I’m looking for in this tournament. If it (comeback) has to happen, it will happen,” he added.

Gambhir, who made 578 runs at the top of the order for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy last season, was pleased with his current form and said that having played on tough pitches earlier in the season will stand him in good stead for the future.

“The domestic season was decent because we played on some difficult tracks. When you have played on difficult tracks and done well, then obviously, it makes you sure about your own game. You start trusting your game because when you play on flat tracks, you always have those doubts. Playing on difficult wickets has helped me tighten my game,” said Gambhir.

Gambhir will be leading a largely new-look 21 man squad as they look to regain the IPL title which they won in 2012 before finishing 7th in the group stages in 2013.

Talking about the upcoming season and the new squad, Gambhir said: “It is a new season, new squad and a new challenge as well. We have got some really exciting youngsters in the squad and I’m sure that they will try and express themselves to the fullest and play with lot of freedom. We are going to give them the environment to go out and express themselves.”

Gambhir also reckons that the pitches in UAE, where the first leg of the IPL will be held, will be similar to the ones back in India.

“Obviously, the wickets look very similar to what we get back at home, in Kolkata and other venues. The conditions won’t be very different and it will be very much similar,” he said.

Kolkata Knight Riders take on defending champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener at the Shaikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on April 16. Gambhir said that playing such a strong team in the opener can be a blessing in disguise for them as a win will give them a lot of momentum going forward.

“Mumbai Indians are a quality side and once you get that first game out of your way with a win, it will give you a lot of confidence. When we won the tournament in 2012, we played our first game against the Chennai Super Kings. Though we lost that match, we played very strongly and then went on to win the title. We are looking for plusses from the first match,” he signed off.