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By Prakhar Sachdeo
CNBC-TV18.com
Published May 27, 2024
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Ahead of IPL 2024 Shreyas Iyer failed to get BCCI's central contract. This came as Shreyas Iyer was coping up with recurring back injury that was threatening to derail his career.
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For the two-time IPL champions, the wait lasted 10 years as Shreyas Iyer sang a redemption song following a topsy-turvy start to the year. Little wonder then that he chose to imitate Lionel Messi's FIFA World Cup celebration
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"I am hearing a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who has created a magnificent culture in the KKR team. But this guy (Iyer), I don't think he is getting enough credit. Shreyas Iyer needs some credit," said the legendary Ian Bishop on Sunday as KKR defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a completely one-sided final to win their third IPL title.
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"It is hard to express how we are feeling right now. The wait was so long. We played like invincibles throughout the season. There is so much to cherish right now," said Shreyas Iyer after KKR's thumping win.
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It was a special feeling for his childhood and Mumbai coach Pravin Amre. "I challenged him in his entire career (in Mumbai)...I knew how strong-willed he's and it was my job as a coach to challenge him. He always liked to take the challenge in a good stride. he is a good team man. In the last world cup, he scored 530 runs," Amre said.
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The KKR skipper missed the last season because of a back injury that required a surgery in London last year. He made a comeback in the Asia Cup and went on to become India's third leading run-getter after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the last year's ODI World Cup.
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The year didn't start well for Shreyas Iyer though as he had a difficult outing in the home Test series against England and looked patchy scoring 140 runs in the first two matches before being left out for the final three Tests.
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Shreyas Iyer, however, returned to play for Mumbai in the semifinal and final against Vidarbha where he scored a resolute 95 in the second innings of their 42nd Ranji triumph.
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At the start of IPL 2024 Shreyas Iyer looked rusty. But Iyer personified "Captain Cool" and held the team's cause ahead of his individual milestones. He went on to become the fourth leading run-getter for KKR this season with 351 runs and two fifties. His best came against the crucial first qualifier against SRH when he anchored their tricky chase of 160 with an unbeaten 58.
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How Shreyas Iyer handled KKR during the IPL was commendable. He kept on improving as a leader during the season. He had a good team under him but how he brought the best out of everyone was important.