Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer will lead the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, as announced by the management on Thursday. The 29-year-old missed the entire IPL 2023 season due to a back injury that necessitated surgery in London in April, leading KKR to appoint Nitish Rana as the captain.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed his delight at Shreyas’s return, stating, “We are delighted that he’s back and at the helm as captain.” Shreyas made a comeback during the Asia Cup in September and showcased good form in the home series against Australia, including an impressive 86-ball hundred in Mohali.
In the recently-concluded World Cup, he played a crucial role at the No. 4 slot, amassing 530 runs from 11 innings, featuring two centuries and three fifties at an average of 66.25. Mysore praised Shreyas’s dedication to recovery, stating, “The way he has worked hard to recover from his injury and the form he has displayed is a testament to his character.”
Nitish Rana, who led KKR to a seventh-place finish in IPL 2023, was named the vice-captain.
Shreyas acknowledged the challenges of the previous season, mentioning, “I believe the last season presented us with several challenges, including my absence due to injury. Nitish did a great job not only filling in for me but also with his commendable leadership.
I am delighted that KKR has named him Vice-Captain. No doubt it will strengthen the leadership group,” said the KKR skipper.
