KKR haven’t but made public who their new captain can be, however Iyer, who was purchased again for a document sum of INR 23.75 crore (US$ 2.83 million approx.), is realized to be among the many prime contenders together with former India captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Though Iyer, who’s 30, has by no means led in aggressive cricket, he’s anticipating the expertise. “Undoubtedly. Undoubtedly, I am prepared,” he mentioned in a chat with ESPNcricinfo lately. “Once more, I’ve all the time mentioned this: captaincy is only a tag. I consider in management. That could be a larger function to play, being a frontrunner.
“You do not essentially want the tag of a captain to be a frontrunner in your dressing room. It is advisable set examples. It is advisable be a great function mannequin, each on and off the sphere, which I’m doing proper now in MP. I am not the captain of the MP staff, however my opinions are revered and I actually like to be in an environment the place each particular person – once more, new or skilled, 20 lakhs, 20 crore, no matter – you simply must have the liberty to voice your opinion. Otherwise you simply must have the liberty to present opinions and provides options and them to be taken in the suitable spirit.
“I’ve all the time wished to be that individual. And if captaincy comes my manner, I might undoubtedly wish to do it. There is not any ambiguity surrounded to this. I will undoubtedly do it, if it comes my manner. There is no such thing as a motive to not do it.”
Iyer made his IPL debut in 2021 and was instrumental in turning round KKR’s fortunes that season. They started with 4 losses in six video games, however recovered in dramatic vogue, placing up seven wins in 9 video games to make the ultimate. Iyer’s set up on the prime of the order performed a component within the upswing however his function has since diversified. He shifted to No. 3 (and decrease) final yr and has additionally chipped in with the ball when wanted. In complete, Iyer has contributed 1326 runs in 51 matches for KKR with a strike price of 137. It’s the solely franchise he has ever performed for.
One potential motive KKR have not introduced the captain for IPL 2025 may very well be the busy Indian home schedule. On the time of the mega public sale, which was held late November, Iyer was amongst a number of KKR gamers that includes within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy the place Madhya Pradesh misplaced within the remaining to Mumbai. The second leg of the Ranji Trophy adopted, with the ultimate on February 26.
Iyer mentioned he was pleased KKR didn’t wish to hassle the gamers whereas the home season was on. “It is good that they are giving gamers their area and letting them concentrate on home cricket. At any time when it comes, we’ll see about it.”
The complete Venkatesh Iyer interview can be revealed within the lead-up to IPL 2025.
