Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday proclaims that their injured skipper Gautam Gambhir would miss the Nokia Champions League T20 qualifiers. Gambhir's accessibility for the main contest, if the team makes it, would depend on his regaining the complete fitness.
South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will be leading KKR in Gautam's nonattendance, a release from KKR said on Tuesday. The qualifiers of the league will begin on September 19 in Hyderabad with KKR incompatible with Auckland Aces. KKR will lock horns with Somerset on September 21 in their second and last qualify match.
Gambhir had suffered a concussion when he hurt his head while attempting a catch during the England-India Test series. Following the injury, Gambhir miss the ongoing five- match ODI series in England.
Gautam has been discussing with a leading neurologist in New Delhi since recurring from England. While the doctor has been happy with the progress Gautam has made, he has been advised to start physical guidance gradually to attain match fitness. His view is that September 19th is too early for him to affect a full recovery,the release from KKR said.
Gambhir's availability for the main tournament beginning on September 23, if KKR advance to this phase, would depend on the batsman achieve full fitness, the release added. KKR's CEO, Venky Mysore, said the decision to play was totally left to the player and his doctors and hoped Gambhir would make a quick return to the game. KKR's coach, Dav Whatmore, was also supportive of the player's choice and said that the team's support staff would do their best to help and hasten Gambhir's revival.