Gautam Gambhir approached by 4 IPL franchises for 2028 season

Four IPL Franchises Reportedly Consider Gautam Gambhir for 2028 Mentor Role

Gautam Gambhir could be at the centre of a major coaching reshuffle ahead of the 2028 Indian Premier League season. Four franchises have reportedly explored the possibility of appointing the India head coach as a mentor or coach, renewing speculation about a return to the competition where he built a formidable reputation.

Any move, however, would depend on Gambhir’s national-team commitments. His current contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) runs through the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. BCCI conflict-of-interest rules would also prevent him from holding a national-team role and an IPL position at the same time.

Which IPL teams are interested in Gambhir?

According to a report by Jagran News, four IPL franchises have held discussions about bringing Gambhir into their coaching setups for the 2028 campaign. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals are among the teams reportedly linked with him. The identities of the other two franchises have not been disclosed.

One of the unnamed teams is said to be among the IPL’s most successful sides, while the other is still chasing its first championship. Both descriptions point to different potential motivations: an established contender could seek Gambhir’s experience in high-pressure matches, while a title-less franchise might want his leadership to help shape a new direction.

Several clubs are expected to review their coaching structures before the next IPL cycle. Gambhir’s combination of international coaching experience, title-winning leadership and familiarity with franchise cricket could make him an attractive candidate. For now, though, the reported approaches remain exploratory rather than confirmed appointments.

India commitments could shape the timeline

The key question is whether Gambhir’s BCCI contract will end after the 2027 ODI World Cup or be extended. There is also uncertainty about whether he could remain in charge through the 2028 Olympics, depending on the national team’s schedule and the BCCI’s plans.

If his international role continues beyond the World Cup, IPL franchises may have to wait for a decision or consider other candidates. If his contract concludes as scheduled, he could become available for a return to the league—subject to the relevant rules and any future agreement with the BCCI.

This timing matters because IPL teams typically begin planning well ahead of a new season. Coaching appointments can influence player retention, recruitment, auction strategy and the development of younger squad members. A franchise considering Gambhir would likely be assessing not only his availability but also how his approach fits its existing leadership group.

Gambhir’s results with India have strengthened his profile

Gambhir took charge of the Indian men’s team in 2024, and his record has added to his appeal as a coach. The supplied report credits India with winning the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup under his guidance in 2026. It also highlights a run of strong results in bilateral cricket, including series victories over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, England and Australia.

India have also taken a 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where Gambhir is currently with the team. That position gives India control of the series, though the remaining matches will still offer opportunities to test combinations and build momentum.

For IPL franchises, international success can be valuable, but it is not the only measure of a coach. The league has a distinctive calendar, a demanding auction system and a short window in which teams must find the right balance. Gambhir’s previous work in the IPL may be just as important as his national-team achievements: he understands the competition’s pace, its pressure points and the importance of clear roles within a squad.

A proven IPL record as player, captain and mentor

Gambhir’s IPL career began with Delhi Daredevils, whom he represented from 2008 to 2010. He returned to the franchise in 2018 and stepped down as captain midway through that season, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the leadership.

His most celebrated IPL chapter came with KKR. Gambhir joined the Kolkata franchise in 2011 and captained it to its first two titles, in 2012 and 2014. Under his leadership, the team reached the playoffs five times and developed a reputation for competing strongly in the tournament’s decisive stages.

After retiring as a player, Gambhir moved into a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants in 2022. LSG reached the playoffs in each of its first two seasons, giving the new franchise an encouraging start. His impact helped establish him as a potential team-builder as well as a former captain with a strong record.

Gambhir returned to KKR as mentor before the 2024 season after a personal invitation from co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. The team, captained by Shreyas Iyer, finished at the top of the league table after winning nine of its 14 matches, then went on to claim its third IPL title. The championship ended a decade-long wait for Kolkata and reinforced Gambhir’s reputation as a leader who could help a franchise contend for silverware.

What a return could mean for the 2028 IPL

Gambhir left KKR after the 2024 title-winning campaign to take charge of India. Both franchises he had recently worked with subsequently endured difficult seasons: KKR finished seventh in 2025 and eighth in 2026, while LSG placed seventh in 2024 and 2025 before ending the 2026 season in 10th position.

Those results do not, by themselves, establish what either team might achieve with a different mentor. They do, however, show how quickly fortunes can change in the IPL and why franchises continually reassess their coaching and support staff. A mentor can influence preparation and team culture, but results also depend on player availability, squad construction, captaincy and performance under pressure.

For supporters, the prospect of Gambhir returning to the IPL creates an intriguing prediction: a title-winning former captain could once again shape a franchise’s identity, potentially at a team he already knows or at a club seeking a fresh start. Yet no appointment has been confirmed, and the national-team contract remains the central factor.

With the 2028 season still ahead, the reported interest is best viewed as an early sign of how highly franchises value Gambhir’s experience. Whether he returns to the IPL will depend on his future with India, BCCI regulations and the plans of the teams pursuing him. Until those questions are settled, the possibility remains one of the league’s most closely watched coaching stories.