Shreyas Iyer has now become an all-format Indian cricketer with phenomenal returns with the bat both against the red and white ball. His development in recent times has been spectacular as well as he will also be managing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) club in the 15th season of the Indian Premier League. Iyer has played under a number of captains, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but his favourite captain is KL Rahul.
During Rahul’s January tour of South Africa, Iyer played three ODI matches for him. He did not have a very strong return with the bat getting 54 runs in 65 balls in three innings playing at No.5, but Iyer did roll his arms for the first time in an ODI match since 2019.
Shreyas Iyer on KL Rahul
Iyer, the new captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has praised national teammate KL Rahul, calling him his favourite captain because of his “cool demeanour” and “instinctive” on-field decision-making skills.
Iyer was impressed with Rahul’s leadership abilities during the ODI series in South Africa earlier this year.
“It was nice to play under him. Firstly, he is an outstanding player. The confidence he carries on the field and in the team meetings, the support that he provides to the players it great. He’s got a very calm demeanour and his on-field decision-making is very instinctive. I really enjoyed playing under him. Also, he gave me three overs of bowling, which none of the captains previously had done. So yeah, he’s my favourite captain!” Shreyas Iyer said.
Shreyas has been looking for ways to demonstrate his worth as a part-time bowler. Previously, during the Sri Lanka T20I series, he put his hand up for death-over bowling in the series opener in Lucknow, but he was unable to persuade Jasprit Bumrah to take the role.
“I had already put my hand up (for a bowl). Around the 16th over when he (Rohit) went it he had already told Bumrah these are the bowlers who need to bowl. I tried to bribe Bumrah but it didn’t work for me (laughs),” he added.
