In a striking commentary on the dynamics of credit in team sports, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has openly criticized Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir for overshadowing the deserved recognition of Shreyas Iyer during Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) triumphant IPL 2024 campaign.
Gavaskar, known for his candid observations, pointed out that Iyer, who captained KKR to their third IPL title last year, was unfairly sidelined in the limelight as most of the accolades were directed towards Gambhir, the team’s mentor at the time. Speaking to broadcaster Star Sports, Gavaskar remarked, ‘He [Iyer] did not get the credit for the IPL victory last season. All the plaudits were given to someone else. It is the captain who plays a major role in what is happening in the middle, not someone sitting in the dugout.’
This year, however, the narrative seems to have shifted for Iyer, who was snapped up by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a staggering ₹26.75 crore in the mega auction. Under his astute captaincy, paired with head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS has reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014—a remarkable turnaround for a franchise long plagued by inconsistency. Gavaskar approvingly noted, ‘See, this year he’s getting fair credit. No one is giving all the credit to Ricky Ponting.’
Iyer’s performance on the field has been nothing short of exceptional. The right-handed batsman has piled up 405 runs in 11 games at an impressive average of 50.63, including four fifties, proving his worth both as a leader and a top-order batter. His partnership with Ponting, with whom he previously collaborated at Delhi Capitals—reaching the playoffs in 2019 and finishing as runners-up in 2020—has evidently breathed new life into PBKS, transforming them into genuine title contenders.
As the IPL progresses, Iyer’s leadership continues to shine, and with Gavaskar’s pointed remarks, the focus is firmly back on the captain’s contributions. Will this momentum carry PBKS to their maiden IPL title? Only time will tell, but for now, Shreyas Iyer stands tall as a captain who commands both respect and results.