India's experienced batter Shreyas Iyer is one of the eight captains to lift the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. After winning IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Iyer will lead Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the next season. Before joining forces with head coach Ricky Ponting in a pursuit to PBKS' maiden IPL trophy, Iyer revealed the kind of captain he is and how he lets the instincts take over. He revealed an example of him going with his gut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) when he handed Andre Russell the ball despite other bowlers causing a collapse.
"When you have so much freedom, I feel that the players also understand that this particular guy is going to back me. And I am that sort of captain who believes in backing players, no matter what the situation is. I love being instinctive and sometimes I take out-of-the-box calls you won't even imagine. It works for me. And I felt that it worked for me in the [2024 IPL] final as well," Iyer told ESPNCricinfo.
"One of the guys who came from outside [the KKR dugout], he asked me, "Why did you give Andre Russell the bowling at that point of time?" I think he went for runs in the first or second over he bowled, and then no one expected [him to bowl consecutive overs], because other bowlers were bowling consistently and they were brilliant with their lines and lengths. But I know this guy is a game changer and he could come and give you the breakthrough you need. So it was like a gut call. The first thought that comes to mind, I always back it," he further added.
How Russell fared in the IPL 2024 final
Iyer introduced Russell into the attack in the 11th over. At the halfway stage, SRH were 61/4. Russell delivered with the wicket of Aiden Markram but was hit for a six by Shahbaz Ahmed on the last over. After the nine-run over, Russell was given the ball again and he dismissed Abdul Samad. He conceded 10 runs from the over including a four off Pat Cummins' bat. Later, he brought him back into the attack in the penultimate over and he ended Cummins' cameo who scored 24 runs from 19 balls. Russell bowled 2.3 overs, conceded 19 runs and bagged three crucial wickets.
SRH were bowled out for 113 from 18.3 overs. KKR won the match by eight wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai to win their third title after 10 years.