Cricket Editorial Indian Cricket IPL IPL 2024

Shreyas the captain stands tall after rebounding from setbacks

May 27, 2024
Boria Majumdar
KKR skipper, Shreyas Iyer receiving the IPL Trophy (Image: IPL)

It was just days after he suffered a debilitating shoulder injury that I had a chat with Shreyas Iyer. He was in pain, but the resolve had not gone away one bit. While he was still unsure if he needed surgery, his focus was very much on the comeback. He wanted the big stage for himself and was determined to make a mark. That he had to undergo surgery and missed cricket for months made him even more determined.

A reasonably good IPL has brought Shreyas back into the mix, and what is being talked about more is his leadership. Knowing Shreyas, he must have been itching to get going at the start of the tournament. Getting ready for his opportunity to step out and seize the very first chance that came his way. The BCCI contract snub was further incentive, and now, all of it should be behind him for good. More so because he was able to take on Pat Cummins, the leader, and beat him convincingly twice in a row. That was where Iyer scored. He wasn’t overawed as perhaps Sanju Samson was, and marshalled his resources beautifully against arguably the best leader in the world at the moment.

Shreyas, unlike some, has scored thousands of runs in domestic cricket at a very healthy average of over 50. He also has a staggering strike rate of over 80 in first-class cricket. In fact, that’s what makes Shreyas so relevant for this Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team. On turners, KKR need someone in the middle order who can counterattack and open up a game. In fact, it was between Iyer and Iyer to an extent – Shreyas and Venkatesh. Both are capable of playing their shots, and in low scoring matches, the ability to open up a game is considered key to the team’s chances.

 

That KKR did not have a good campaign in 2023 was because Shreyas wasn’t part of it. Losing the captain was a big blow, and in the absence of a leader, the campaign went haywire. Chandrakant Pandit, the coach, too was new and learning the ropes. In 2024, it has all come together. The addition of Gautam Gambhir meant Shreyas has someone who will forever have his back. And knowing Gambhir, he will always encourage Iyer to take bold calls. And once his own batting form started to come back, there was no stopping Shreyas.

When you are up against Cummins the leader, arguably the best all-format captain in world cricket at the moment, there is always added pressure. Cummins has built an aura around him and Shreyas needed to counter that. And when he lost the toss, more so. And he did. Be it with his bowling changes or the way KKR approached the game, it was evident that he was in control.

Team KKR with the IPL 2024 Trophy (Image: IPL)

The field placings were immaculate and KKR were brimful of energy from ball one. It all came together when they went for the DRS in the 17th over. Sunil Narine was coming to the end of his spell and was wicketless. He bowled it beautifully and felt he had his man, but Nitin Menon, the umpire, disagreed. Shreyas literally pleaded with his bowler and, at the very last second, decided to go upstairs. And when the decision came, the captain’s reaction said it all. He was euphoric, and the celebration was evidence that he was in total control of a team who look up to him as the boss.

Mentally, it can be conjectured that Shreyas was ready soon after he was given a green light to play. He has a certain steel about him, and that should help him going forward as well. With the wait finally over and the IPL won, it is now important to translate all this work into runs for India as well. That’s when the pain of surgery, of missing out on the central contract and a T20 World Cup will really be overcome. For the moment though, it is Shreyas the captain who has stopped Cummins in his tracks. And seeing Cummins’ record, that is no mean feat. As the party starts in Kolkata, despite the cyclone, here’s wishing Shreyas all the best and many congratulations.