With mega auction of Indian Premier League 2022 around the corner, franchisees are gearing up to rope in the best players in their respective teams. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are also bidding for the same as they will be looking for an Indian leader in Shreyas Iyer and let go off it's former skipper Eoin Morgan who took them to IPL 2021 final but had a horrendous run with the bat. Morgan was not retained by KKR and it is unlikely that they will look at him as the side's leader for the upcoming this season even if they rope him in the auction.
The highly touted Iyer will be in the radar of Kolkata-based franchise as he was released by Delhi Capitals (DC) who decided against retaining him. Unlike other franchisees who have alternatives, KKR’s possibilities in the existing retentions are limited.
Iyer’s previous experience of guiding an IPL team has kindled the interest of KKR for a leadership position. The Delhi-based franchise reached the tournament’s finals for the first time under Iyer’s leadership in 2020. He was also the fourth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2020, with 519 runs at an average of 34.60 to his name. Iyer has led the Capitals in 41 matches, winning 23 of them while losing the other 18. Later, when Iyer injured his shoulder last year, Rishabh Pant took over his place to fill the void and led the franchise to playoffs after finishing at the top of the table.
Iyer could well be the man who could take KKR into a new era should they procure him in the IPL 2022 auction. What stands out with Shreyas Iyer is his confidence. Be it the way he bats or the way he has marshaled his troops on the field while captaining DC. Iyer showed no nerves on Test debut as well against New Zealand and bailed India out of a dicey situation in both innings of the contest with record century.
With 88 IPL games under his belt, the Mumbai-born batter has been a regular in the tournament. The 27-year-old has age on his side as well and has a good blend of experience and talent needed for the cut-throat T20 league. No wonder then that KKR should look at him as a long-term investment in the mega auction.
