New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders' Australian speedster Brett Lee lauded skipper Gautam Gambhir for leading from the front with strong individual performance.

"Gambhir is just brilliant. He is a born leader and it comes naturally to him. Besides he backs it up with strong performances, and has been leading our flock really well," Lee said on the sidelines of the launch of a music academy for underprivileged and autistic kids in association with his Brett Lee Foundation.

Lee, who retired from Tests in 2010, hoped that Australian captain Michael Clarke would lead them to the No.1 spot again.

"With Michael Clarke around, it has all been going really well for Australia. He has himself performed exceptionally well and the team is going from strength to strength under him.

"The recent Test series against the West Indies was a good sign and we should be there (at the top) pretty soon,"," said Lee.

Meanwhile, Lee also revealed that music therapy kept him going during his illustrious career, which was often hit with injuries.

"At 17, I was told by the doctor that I could never play cricket because of an elbow injury but I told him I will live my dream. I proved him wrong and played quite a few international games that too as a fast bowler.

"Music had a huge role to play in keeping me motivated," said Lee, who had undergone 13 surgeries.

"I turned to music during professional problems, during the personal crisis that I endured a few years ago. Music provided relief after a bad day in cricket and everything else. Music therapy has been brilliant for me," he said. (IANS)