Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has acknowledged that the franchise made a costly decision by releasing Shreyas Iyer following their IPL 2024 title-winning campaign. Pandit, who was at the helm when Iyer was let go, expressed regret over the move, stating, "Unfortunately, we missed him."
Pandit Reflects on Iyer's Departure
Pandit, who served as KKR's head coach during the 2024 season, shared his thoughts after witnessing Iyer's impressive performances with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Iyer joined PBKS for a record Rs 26.75 crore in the mega auction ahead of IPL 2025 and has since led the team to the IPL 2025 final. Moreover, PBKS have remained unbeaten in their first six matches of the IPL 2026 season, showcasing Iyer's exceptional leadership and batting form.
"Unfortunately, we missed him," Pandit told RevSportz. "Shreyas is a wonderful player who won the trophy for KKR as captain, and I admire the way he handled the team. But sometimes, certain circumstances and broader strategies force you to let such players go. Obviously, as a coach at KKR, I felt bad about that. It wasn't a purposeful omission, but things simply didn't work out for us. It isn't only Shreyas; I feel the same about Phil Salt and others."
Iyer's Absence from India's T20I Side
The veteran coach, alongside Iyer and mentor Gautam Gambhir, was part of the IPL 2024 title-winning setup. Pandit also addressed Iyer's exclusion from India's T20I team, attributing it to intense competition for places. "Shreyas has been part of the Indian team and has delivered strong performances. Unfortunately, he was left out, but situations like this are not uncommon. When building a team, there is always the challenge of balancing experience with the need to groom new talent. With the depth of talent available, it becomes difficult to provide opportunities to every deserving player."
"There is always competition, and often, equally capable replacements are available. That said, Shreyas has been leading Punjab impressively, and his batting reflects noticeable maturity. He plays with a fearless mindset, focusing less on the situation and more on winning the game, which is evident in the way he constructs his innings," the 64-year-old added.
Iyer's Consistent Performance
Iyer has been one of the most consistent batters in the last two IPL seasons. In five innings this year, he has scored 208 runs at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 182.45. His leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in PBKS's recent success, further highlighting KKR's loss.
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