Shreyas Iyer on KKR: Shreyas Iyer reveals the reason for parting ways with Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2025. Defending champions KKR completed their quota of retaining six players but did not retain the captain who led them to the title.
Three-time champions KKR retained Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Varun Chakraborty. In addition, uncapped players Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh were also picked. Shreyas Iyer expressed his disappointment at not staying with KKR and claimed that there was no strong conversation from the franchise regarding his retention.
What Did Shreyas Iyer Say?
Shreyas Iyer shared his thoughts in a conversation with Indian Express, saying, “My time with KKR was great, where we won the title. The fan following is incredible, and the atmosphere in the stadium is amazing. I enjoyed every moment spent there. We had talks after the IPL, but the discussions stalled after a few months, and there was no strong conversation about retention. I was surprised by what was happening. Due to the lack of meaningful conversation, we reached the point of separation. This is the summary of the entire situation.”
🚨📰| Shreyas Iyer On interactions with KKR:
– For months, there was no effort in having a retention talk. we decided to part ways, mutually. If you get to know things one week prior to the retention date, then obviously something is lacking. [Express Sports] pic.twitter.com/zPWxKMNBw1
— Pick-up Shot (@96ShreyasIyer) January 20, 2025
He continued, “Yes, I am definitely disappointed because there was no clarity on the talks. If you find out something just a week before the retention date, there’s definitely something missing. I had to make a decision, and whatever was meant to happen, happened. However, I want to emphasize that the time I spent with Shahrukh Khan sir, his family, and my teammates was unforgettable. Winning the title is one of my most memorable moments.”
Shreyas Iyer Set to Lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025
Shreyas Iyer will captain the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. As the captain in the 18th season of IPL, he will become the 17th captain of Punjab Kings. Shreyas Iyer will also make history by becoming the first Indian player to captain three different franchises. He previously captained Delhi Capitals (2018-2020) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2022-2024), though he missed the 2023 season due to injury.
Shreyas Iyer said “Shah Rukh sir is very kind & generous in nature – I love his confidence level & self belief about the team the most – it was surreal. I got to learn a lot from him – he is a dominant figure”. [Express Sports] pic.twitter.com/kzsGHu4Q20
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 20, 2025
Shreyas Iyer’s Unique IPL Record
Shreyas Iyer holds a unique record in IPL history. He is the only captain to have led two different teams to the IPL finals. Moreover, he is the first IPL-winning captain to be released by his franchise after winning the title. KKR has not yet announced its new captain.