IPL 2025: Sunil Gavaskar's Big Statement On Shreyas Iyer

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has praised Shreyas Iyer and credited him for his contribution to Kolkata Knight Riders' third IPL title in 2024. Despite leading the team to victory, Gavaskar said, Iyer did not receive the recognition he deserved. Gavaskar emphasized that captains play a crucial role on the field, unlike those in the dugout.

Currently, Shreyas Iyer is making waves as the captain of Punjab Kings. The team acquired him for an impressive Rs 26.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Under his leadership, Punjab Kings are on track for playoff qualification. They have secured seven wins out of eleven matches and are positioned third in the standings.

Shreyas Iyer's Leadership Journey

In 2024, Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title. However, he felt unacknowledged for this achievement. "I personally felt I didn't get the recognition I wanted to after winning the IPL but at the end of the day, as long as you have self-integrity and you keep doing the right things when no one is watching, that is more important and that is what I kept doing," he shared with Times of India post-2025 Champions Trophy win.

Gavaskar pointed out that while others received accolades for KKR's success last season, this year with Punjab Kings, Iyer is rightly credited. He remarked on Star Sports, "He didn't get the credit for the IPL victory last season. All the plaudits were given to someone else. It's the captain who plays a major role in what's happening in the middle and not someone sitting in the dugout."

Praise for Shreyas Iyer

The cricketing community has started acknowledging Iyer's leadership skills with Punjab Kings' current performance. Unlike last year when Ricky Ponting was credited more than him, this season sees a shift in recognition towards Iyer's efforts on-field.

Kolkata Knight Riders had retained players like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell but chose not to retain Shreyas Iyer after their 2024 triumph. This decision surprised many fans and analysts alike given his pivotal role in their success.