Sunil Gavaskar has come forward in strong support of Shreyas Iyer, expressing disappointment over the lack of recognition the cricketer received for captaining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their IPL title win. Though KKR clinched their third IPL trophy under Iyer’s leadership, the spotlight, according to Gavaskar, shifted unfairly to mentor Gautam Gambhir, leaving the captain’s on-field influence underappreciated.
“He didn’t get the credit for the IPL victory last season. All the plaudits were given to someone else. It’s the captain, who plays a major role in what’s happening in the middle and not someone sitting in the dugout,” Gavaskar said during an appearance on Star Sports.
Shreyas, apart from his leadership duties, had a solid season with the bat, scoring 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39, including two half-centuries.
Following the title win, KKR made the surprising decision to release Shreyas ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Punjab Kings (PBKS) seized the opportunity, signing him for a record Rs 26.75 crore. And that gamble appears to be paying dividends. Under Iyer’s guidance, PBKS are on the brink of a playoff berth, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2014—ironically the year they lost the final to KKR.
This season, Iyer has once again proven his mettle. With 405 runs in 11 matches at an average exceeding 50, he’s also registered four fifties, providing both leadership and consistent performances with the bat.
Gavaskar is pleased to see that the narrative has shifted. “See, this year he’s getting fair credit. No one is giving all the credit to Ricky Ponting,” he said, suggesting that Iyer’s role is finally being acknowledged, free from the shadow of support staff accolades.
