IPL 2024: KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir wishes ‘leaders’ Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana for new challenge

Newly appointed mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders Gautam Gambhir congratulated Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana after the 2-time champions confirmed their leadership group on Thursday, December 14.

Gautam Gambhir, who had an emotional homecoming, is expected to play a key role in shaping KKR’s fortunes in the next IPL season and his message to the two new ‘leaders’ was clear.

On Thursday, Kolkata Knight Riders put a full stop to speculation by announcing Shreyas Iyer as their captain and Nitish Rana as vice-captain for IPL 2024. Rana led the team in the absence of an injured Iyer last year. Rana impressed with his aggressive leadership skills as KKR did well in patches despite not having their biggest star for IPL 2024.

Ahead of the IPL auction, KKR made it clear that the captaincy would return to Shreyas Iyer, who was in fine form in World Cup 2023 for India after having recovered from his long-standing injury concerns.

Iyer, who had led Delhi Capitals to an IPL final in 2020, scored 401 runs in 14 matches in his debut season for Kolkata Knight Riders. It will be a new environment for KKR in IPL 2024 as all eyes will be on how Iyer works with head coach Chad ndrakant Pandit and mentor Gambhir.

Shreyas Iyer welcomed Nitish Rana as the vice-captain, lauding the stand-in captain’s showing in the last season. KKR finished 7th with 12 points, 4 points away from a spot in the playoffs.

” I believe the last season presented us with several challenges, including my absence due to injury. Nitish did a great job not only filling in for me but also with his commendable leadership. I am delighted that KKR has named him Vice Captain. No doubt it will strengthen the leadership group,” Iyer said, as quoted in a release by KKR.

After having released a longlist of players, KKR will head into the auction with Rs 32.7 crore for 12 slots, including 4 overseas slots.