IPL 2022: Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer ready to explore, lead aggressively

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2022, revealed his favourite batting position. The 27-year-old, however, added that he is flexible and comfortable with whatever the team requires. The two-time champions will play the Chennai Super Kings on March 26 in the season opener. 

Iyer was bought by KKR for a whopping Rs 12.25 crore in the mega-auction held in February. The team also roped in the likes of Alex Hales, Umesh Yadav and Sheldon Jackson. 

Also read: IPL 2022: SWOT analysis of Kolkata Knight Riders

Talking about his role in the batting order that already has power-hitters like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, Iyer said he cannot potray himself as an anchor and is ready to be flexible. 

“You can’t basically portray yourself as an anchor. It can differ as well. On a given day, I can be a power-hitter and there can be some other player who can play an anchor role. The situations and roles can change based on conditions, and you can’t basically rely on a certain player to anchor the innings. If it’s your day, you need to go all out and see to it that you win the match for the team,” Iyer said in a video posted on KKR’s YouTube channel.

Also read: IPL 2022: Possible XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore

He further recealed that he loves to bat at No 3. 

“Basically, the responsibility has to be taken by all players in the team — to go out there and win the match and not rely on other players. For me, personally, I feel No.3 is my position because I love to bat there and I’ve been batting at that position since very long. I’ve been very flexible; wherever the team wants me to bat at, I’m very comfortable at that and I’m ready to explore,” the captain continued. 

Shreyas Iyer added that he wants to lead the team with an aggressive mindset. 

Also read: My fellow bowlers…: Ravichandran Ashwin explains the huge imapct of mankading

“They [KKR] have always been aggressive and they’ve been fearless as a team. Right from ball one, they like to throw the punch and put you on the back foot. And obviously, you need to have that kind of a mindset. I go through with the same mindset whenever I go out to bat, and when I want to lead as a captain, I want such kind of intensity from my players as well. If it comes from the coach, it’s greater because the energy is basically provided by the coach and captain.”

“I’m really happy with the mindset and planning that KKR have nourished over the years. Basically, I also have a similar kind of mindset – go out there and express ourselves as much as possible and not to have any regrets when we get off the field. Whatever you do, you do it for the team and you put yourself second – I think that’s the mindset I like to focus on as captain,” he added.