IPL 2022: Shreyas Iyer Named KKR Captain

KKR had bought Shreyas Iyer in the 2022 IPL auction for Rs 12.25 crore.

IPL auction 2022: Shreyas Iyer has been named the new KKR captain

Image: BCCI 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KRR) have announced the appointment of Shreyas Iyer as their captain. The Two-time former champions bought Iyer in the recently-conducted 2022 IPL auction for Rs 12.25 crore.

This will be the second time Iyer will be captaining a side in the IPL after doing the same job for his former team Delhi Capitals from mid-2018 season till 2020.

"I am extremely honoured to have gotten the opportunity to lead a prestigious team like KKR. The IPL as a tournament brings the best players from different countries and cultures together and I look forward to leading this great group of very talented individuals," said Iyer in a statement released by KKR.

"I would like to thank the owners, management and support staff of KKR for giving me the opportunity to lead this team and I am confident that we will find the right synergies to achieve the team's goals. Kolkata and The Eden Gardens have a very rich history when it comes to Indian cricket and I look forward to contributing to this rich history and making our fans proud of us as a team! Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo!" added Iyer.

Once KKR succeeded in acquiring Iyer's services in the auction, it was a foregone conclusion that the right-handed batter would be made the captain of the side. A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery last March meant Iyer could not play the India leg of IPL 2021 and Delhi Capitals handed the captaincy to Rishabh Pant, who has since continued in the role.

Iyer, who led Delhi to runners-up finish in 2020, was not retained by the franchise during the retention period.

"I am very excited to have one of India's brightest future leaders in Shreyas Iyer, take the reins at KKR. I've enjoyed Shreyas' game and his captaincy skills from afar and now will look forward to working closely with him to drive forward the success and style of play we want at KKR," said head coach Brendon McCullum.

Iyer will be the sixth player to lead KKR after Sourav Ganguly (2008-10), McCullum (2009), Gautam Gambhir (2011-17), Dinesh Karthik (2018-20) and Eoin Morgan (2020-21).

"We are delighted firstly to have been able to successfully bid for Shreyas in the IPL auction & to have the opportunity for him to lead #TeamKKR. He has impressed one & all as a quality batsman at the highest level & we are confident that he will excel as a leader of #TeamKKR," said Venky Mysore, CEO & MD of KKR.

(With inputs from IANS)