Shreyas Iyer's captaincy has emerged as a major talking point after leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their long-awaited third IPL title, a decade after their previous victory. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa ignited the debate by suggesting Iyer could be a frontrunner for the future Indian captaincy, potentially even pipping contenders like Shubman Gill. Shreyas Iyer's leadership with KKR has been widely praised for its strategic brilliance and ability to inspire his team. Under his guidance, KKR displayed remarkable consistency throughout IPL 2024. They dominated the points table and ultimately secured the coveted title. This triumph adds to Iyer's prior success as captain of the Delhi Capitals, where he led them to the IPL finals, though they finished runner-up.
Uthappa wants Shreyas Iyer to become India's next captain
“Shreyas Iyer can become the India captain and pip the likes of Shubman Gill. He has shown commendable qualities. There were very strong personalities in that dressing room, and he still navigated the whole season while learning things along the way. That is not easy to do while performing and giving your best on the field. He also made the right decisions and calls on the field, which he did with utter dominance. So that tells you a lot about his character and what he believes he is capable of. Because of that, he sets himself up in the right position and places himself in the conversation of being the next Indian captain,” Uthappa said on Star Sports after the IPL 2024 Final.
"Even after everything he went through—the World Cup, back injuries, not getting the central contract—amidst conjectures, he has barely spoken about it. That shows he has his sights clear. We will see that this is the beginning of the leader that he is, " Uthappa added.
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Joining the chorus of praise, former Windies legend Ian Bishop singled out Shreyas Iyer as a key figure for KKR. Bishop went a step further, crediting Iyer as the team's ‘unsung hero’. Bishop believes Iyer's contributions, perhaps his leadership or crucial tactical decisions, might have been overshadowed by the team's overall performance.
"I want to input my balance to this team (KKR) and that guy, Shreyas Iyer. I've heard a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who created a magnificent culture for this KKR team. But I don't think Shreyas is getting enough credit. I've been saying it all season, and they came after me in social media," Bishop said while doing commentary during IPL 2024 Final.
"And not to forget, I think the bowling of KKR is understated. So, I just wanted to get that out there. So, these two (Gambhir and coaches) and Shreyas Iyer need some credit," Bishop concluded.
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The race for India's next captain is heating up, with both Shreyas Iyer and Shubhman Gill emerging as strong contenders. Each player offers a unique skillset to the table. Iyer boasts a wealth of experience leading teams, most recently showcasing his talents with KKR's IPL victory. Gill, on the other hand, brings a consistent and impressive batting record, a crucial element for any captain. This wide range of strengths makes the debate around India's future captaincy all the more intriguing.
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