KKR captain Shreyas Iyer replied to the press regarding leadership credit, praising mentor Gautam Gambhir.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer has reached the IPL final twice in the last four years but remains unfazed by the lack of personal fanfare for his leadership.
In a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Iyer addressed the perception that his leadership achievements have not received due recognition.
“The media creates the hype. How I’m viewed as a captain is definitely up to you guys,” quipped Iyer to PTI during the pre-match conference on Saturday. Instead, Iyer praised KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir for his significant contribution to the team’s success.
“Gautam bhai (brother) has immense knowledge about the T20 format. His experience winning two titles with KKR previously is invaluable. His strategies perfectly align with the execution we need against the opposition,” said Iyer of Gautam.
Iyer expressed confidence that Gambhir’s guidance from the dugout will be crucial in defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the upcoming final. “Hopefully, we can continue with this momentum thanks to his knowledge,” he added.
The past six months have been challenging for Iyer. His initial refusal to play red-ball domestic cricket resulted in him losing his BCCI central contract. While he returned to play in the Ranji Trophy final, his middling IPL performance and exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad left lingering disappointment.
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“After the World Cup, I definitely struggled with the longer format. When I raised concerns about a back injury, it wasn’t taken seriously. But ultimately, the competition is with myself,” added Shreyas.
Iyer emphasised the importance of focusing on the present rather than dwelling on past setbacks. “Before the IPL, I just wanted to give it my all. Our planning, strategizing, and execution have brought us here,” added Iyer.
Iyer acknowledged the difficulty of transitioning between red-ball and white-ball cricket. “The adjustment is tough for both batters and bowlers. While it was challenging initially, I found my rhythm and kept pace with the other players,” concluded the KKR captain.
Last Updated on May 26, 2024