Shreyas Iyer’s journey over the past six months has been marked by significant challenges and setbacks, yet his resilience and leadership have guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title. On 19 November 2023, Iyer was dismissed by Pat Cummins in the ODI World Cup final, a match that India lost. Fast forward to May 2024, and Iyer has led KKR to a resounding victory over Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL final.
Overcoming Setbacks
Iyer’s path to success was not straightforward. He faced the resurfacing of a back injury and the loss of a BCCI central contract. Despite these hurdles, Iyer’s leadership on and off the field was instrumental in KKR’s success. While his batting statistics—351 runs from 14 matches—were modest, his captaincy shone through.
Post the victory, the skipper changed the bio of the official X-handle page of the franchise. He changed it from 2 to 3 with the trophy cabinet increased with one more title.
Strategic Leadership and Key Partnerships
Iyer’s rapport with KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir played a crucial role in the team’s triumph. Gambhir, with his extensive experience and tactical acumen, along with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, provided strong support and strategic insights.
“Talking about Gautam bhai, he has got immense knowledge about how the game is played, has won two titles previously with KKR, and his strategies have been spot on in terms of what we have to execute against our opponents,” Iyer said ahead of the final.
Tactical Moves and Team Dynamics
The KKR management’s faith in their players paid off. For instance, Sunil Narine, often questioned as an opener, proved to be a game-changer. Similarly, Ramandeep Singh, a pacer who previously had limited opportunities, played 15 matches this season and took nine wickets.
Mitchell Starc’s turnaround was another highlight. Despite a rough start, Starc found his rhythm, contributing significantly to KKR’s success.
Resilience and Determination
Iyer’s resilience was evident throughout the season. He bounced back from a challenging ODI World Cup, where he scored 530 runs, including centuries against the Netherlands and New Zealand. His back injury, however, remained a concern, affecting his participation in the longer formats.
“I was definitely struggling after the World Cup, in terms of the longer format. When I raised my concern, no one was agreeing to it. But at the same time, the competition is with myself,” Iyer said ahead of the IPL final.
A Historic Triumph
KKR’s clinical performances, particularly in the final, underscored their dominance. The team’s collective effort, guided by the strategic trio of Iyer, Gambhir, and Pandit, will be remembered as a defining moment in IPL history.
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