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Adversities serve as the foundation for triumph. Shreyas Iyer exemplifies this truth, showcasing resilience and determination on the cricketing stage. Despite facing setbacks, such as being sidelined by the BCCI, he emerged as a beacon of success, guiding KKR to a remarkable third IPL title this season.
Although Iyer’s individual batting performance may not have reached its zenith, tallying a modest 351 runs in 14 matches during the group stage, his leadership prowess shone brightly. Steering KKR to victory in 9 out of 14 matches in the group stage, he demonstrated astute decision-making and adept management of bowler rotations, particularly during the playoffs.
Chandrakant Pandit, the coach of KKR, elaborated on this aspect, reflecting on Shreyas Iyer’s arduous journey following his exclusion by the BCCI earlier in the year.
“In any situation like that (referring to Iyer’s omission from the BCCI contract), any player would understandably feel disheartened. However, it was crucial for us to ensure that such external factors didn’t affect his performance. During our discussions, we deliberately avoided dwelling on that issue, emphasizing instead the importance of focusing on the present task,” Pandit shared in an interview with Times of India.
“I distinctly recall him expressing his determination, saying, ‘Sir, I’ll prove it.’ The manner in which he has performed in this IPL suggests that he has matured significantly as a batsman.”
Pandit went on to praise Iyer for his outstanding leadership throughout the season, expressing confidence in his potential to lead the Indian cricket team in the future.
“Shreyas deserves a great deal of credit. He has been an exceptional captain, displaying remarkable composure and leadership. He was open to suggestions and adeptly managed the team both on and off the field. His qualities demonstrated with KKR make him a strong candidate for the captaincy of the Indian team down the line,” Pandit concluded.
Pandit also highlighted the significant role played by mentor and former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, whom he characterized as a source of inspiration and motivation within the team’s locker room.
His presence in the dugout was a great motivation for everyone. It was a great boost for us. He came in with a lot of cricketing experience. He’s been part of the IPL for so many years. We took all the decisions collectively.
