NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as team mentor of the new Lucknow franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday is a step towards building an inclusive team environment that is “geared towards a culture of performance,” said owner Sanjiv Goenka of RPSG Group TOI.
Gambhir is expected to play an advisory role in the franchise and be the “guiding hand” in setting the team’s plans and improving player performance. The former Indian opening strike led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
“Gautam will primarily play a motivating role,” said Goenka. “It will also help create a long-term blueprint for the franchise. We wanted people with a proven track record. Gautam has also successfully prepared a generation of youth for KKR and that worked in his favor. ”

Gambhir will be teaming up with new head coach Andy Flower, which means there are now two no-nonsense former cricketers working in the back room of Lucknow, both with immense tactical knowledge and both known for an intense approach to the game. They were also dogged and temperamental thugs in their day.
“Gautam has the image of being a completely impartial and results-oriented leader. Check out what he’s done for KKR. Basically, we want the changing room to be geared towards a performance culture, ”says Goenka.

The RPSG group was previously involved in the IPL with the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise, but according to Goenka, things are very different this time around.
“That was just a short two year thing. We were impatient and left a lot unfinished. This (Lucknow) is geared towards the long term, as not many franchises have been added and were successful in the first year. ”
Many other IPL franchises like Delhi Capitals have complained that the auction process has outlived its usefulness, forcing teams to give up players they cared for from childhood or prepared for big time.

The situation is different at Lucknow, which has to build a team from scratch. Goenka was taciturn about the team’s plans – which are rumored to include aggressive action for KL Rahul as the first choice captain at the auction – and only revealed that “we focused on a few names”.
“I have to follow the system,” he said. “I have no role in the rules and regulations. The biggest inspiration for me, however, are the Mumbai Indians. What they have achieved and how they have achieved it is not only a template for other IPL teams, but also for sports franchises worldwide. ”
Gambhir, also a BJP politician and acting MP from East Delhi, said in an official statement: “The fire to win a competition is still great
burns brightly in me. The desire to leave the legacy of a winner still drives me 24/7. I will not fight for a changing room, but for the spirit and soul of Uttar Pradesh. ”