MUMBAI: Kolkata Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum on Friday said their new captain Shreyas Iyer has all the qualities to become the franchise’s “player of the decade”. Iyer, who led Delhi Capitals in their maiden IPL final in 2020, was dropped by KKR. 12.25 crores after aggressive bidding and was later made the captain of the two-time former champion.
“He is a great buy. He could be the franchise player for KKR for the best part of the decade. We have to start somewhere and that is tomorrow.” And what has he been able to achieve. His best years are certainly ahead of him.” “I think he has the potential to be an absolute superstar of the game so I can’t wait to work with him.” Iyer has been in the form of his life and in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka he has been unbeaten in three matches, 57 not out in 28, 74 not out in 44, and 73 not out in 45, en route to India’s 3–0. Player-of-the-series was selected.
Excited to work with Shreyas Iyer
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The Kiwi giants are excited that their new captain has the same aggressive mindset that he had during his playing days, something that the head coach believes will take the team all the way. “We both share a common value in how we like to look at sports, which is that you get a group of people, paint a vision and get people to play the game positively, and try and Hug the people around you.
“We will all go on a journey together to try and achieve something special, not only in terms of results but also in terms of investments, that hopefully we are going to talk about for many years to come. So I Really excited to work with Shreyas.”
Umesh Yadav will lead the pace in Tim Southee’s absence ,
KKR’s fast bowling department has suffered a major setback as New Zealand pacer Tim Southee will not be available against CSK, confirmed McCullum. The team is already missing their star Australian pacer Pat Cummins, who will be unavailable for the first five matches due to national commitments.
“Saudi unfortunately not available for the first match, there was a slight delay in coming to India. So, he will not be available for the first match of the seam bowling lineup.
“Umesh Yadav was a really good pick for us in the auction. His ability to swing the ball forward, and he is also a wicket-taker,” said McCullum. “His figures in the powerplay are really good. And that’s what we look to try and use them.
“So hopefully, between him and Shivam Maravi and a few other boys, hopefully we will be able to get some early wickets and then allow our spinners to enter the game with us at the top.” Asked about Ravindra Jadeja leading defending champions Chennai Super Kings for the first time since Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down as captain, McCullum said: “Not really my problem…” “I know Jadeja well . is on MS’s side. So look, I’m sure he’ll do a great job.” “From our point of view we need to settle into the tournament and hopefully start with a win,” he concluded.
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