Gautam Gambhir, the captain of the victorious Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2012 anticipates the captaincy of the Indian Test squad in the near future.

Gambhir served initial three years of the Indian Premier League with Delhi Daredevils but was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League in 2011. His inspired captaincy propelled his side to one of the top four teams of the tournament in the fourth edition of the IPL. They played 14 pool games, won 8, lost 6 and secured 16 points at a net run rate of +0.433.

Kolkata Knight Riders played the Elimination final of the Indian Premier League 2011 vs. Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 25, 2011. They scored 147 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allocated 20 overs and Mumbai Indians achieved the target by smashing 148 runs with four wickets in hand in 19.2 overs. Gambhir excelled with the bat, played all 15 matches and scored 378 runs at an average of 34.36 with the best of unbeaten 75 with two fifties.

The IPL 2012 was the most memorable tournament for Gautam Gambhir as he transformed his team into a winning unit. They occupied the no.2 spot in the pool matches backed by the true leadership of their skipper and the entire team responded excellently throughout the event. Kolkata Knight Riders played 16 pool games, won 10 and lost 5 whereas the one against Deccan Chargers was abandoned on April 25, 2012 at Bangalore. They attained 21 points at a net run rate of +0.561 while Delhi Daredevils was the top team with 22.

Kolkata Knight Riders played the final of the IPL 2012 against Chennai Super Kings which was led by the Indian captain, MS Dhoni. The match was held on May 27, 2012 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai, the home of the Chennai Super Kings. The home team thrashed 190 runs for the loss of just three wickets in 20 overs as the visitors overpowered them by piling up 192 runs with five wickets in hand in 19.4 overs and clinched the title.

Gambhir led them from the front by hammering 590 runs in 17 innings at an excellent average of 36.87, the best of 93 with 6 fifties. He was overjoyed after the big achievement in his life when Kolkata Knight Riders grasped the title of the IPL 2012 and commented,

“I’m very happy, very lucky that I have been part of KKR because the best two years of my cricketing career in IPL…though I played for Delhi for the first three years… I have never been so relaxed, I have never enjoyed so much of cricket that I have enjoyed in Kolkata and with KKR.”

Gautam Gambhir was depressed after Virat Kohli was announced as vice captain of the Indian side in the Asia Cup 2012, held in Bangladesh, where the Blue Shirts had a dismal tournament and were unable to qualify for the final.

Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore in 7 games along with 9 captained by Daniel Vettori and his team reached the fifth place by securing 17 points with 8 wins and 7 losses. Kohli managed 364 runs in 16 innings at an average of 28.00, the best of unbeaten 73 with just two fifties and his performance was much below his potential.

Gautam Gambhir is not looking for deputising the Indian side but has set his eyes on leading the national squad at the Test level after his electrifying captaincy of Kokata Knight Riders in the IPL 2012. He further said,

“Yes, it’s the biggest honour. (I am) Ready for the responsibility of the challenge because you want to test yourself in different challenges as well. That is where your mental toughness and your character will be tested.”