Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory in IPL 2024, believes he didn’t receive the recognition he deserved despite guiding the team to a near-flawless season. However, he insists that "self-integrity" and "doing the right things" hold greater importance for him than external validation.

KKR dominated the tournament, losing just three matches all season and topping the table throughout the second half. Although Iyer played a floating role in the batting order, his on-field decisions and leadership were widely praised.

Despite this, KKR chose not to retain him, opting instead for Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain for IPL 2025. Rahane was signed in the second round of the 2025 auction for ₹1.5 crore. The reasons for Iyer’s exit remain unclear, with conflicting reports from the media and the franchise.

Iyer’s Perspective: Leadership & Instincts

In an interview with The Times of India, Iyer admitted that the lack of recognition after his IPL win was disappointing but emphasized that his focus remained on staying true to himself.

"I personally felt I didn’t get the recognition I wanted 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."

Instinctive Leadership Style

Describing his captaincy approach, Iyer revealed that he relies heavily on instinct and gut feeling rather than rigid strategies.

"I see the situation, read the situation, and based on that, I call my shots. I believe a lot in my gut calls. Whatever first thought comes to my mind, I take that and back it."

He also stressed the importance of backing his teammates, especially in pressure situations.

"Once you set patterns where you trust your calls and back your teammates, everything else follows."

Champion of the 2025 Champions Trophy

While Iyer felt undervalued in the IPL, he received immense recognition after India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory, where he emerged as the team's highest run-scorer and a key middle-order rock.

Everyone, including captain Rohit Sharma, has since showered him with praise for his match-winning contributions.

Reflecting on this, Iyer said that recognition isn’t just about fame—it’s about respect.

"It was about the respect for the efforts I put on the field. Sometimes, it goes unnoticed, but I’m extremely satisfied with what I did. The wickets weren’t easy to bat on, and taking singles was difficult against tight bowling."

His belief in game-changing moments helped him step up when India needed him the most.

"I knew that if I got two sixes at crucial times, I could shift momentum in our favor. Luckily, I managed to do that."

New Chapter: Punjab Kings Captain for IPL 2025

As he moves forward, Iyer has been appointed as the captain of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025, marking a new leadership challenge in his career.

With a point to prove, it will be interesting to see whether Iyer can replicate his success and lead Punjab to their first IPL title. Will he finally get the recognition he craves? The upcoming season holds the answer.