South African legend AB de Villiers acknowledged Shreyas Iyer for KKR’s remarkable IPL 2024 journey. Since they have won nine of their last thirteen games, the Knight Riders have secured the top spot in the standings. Collecting 19 points and a net run rate of +1.428, they were the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

The 29-year-old took over as the team’s captain in 2022, succeeding Eoin Morgan. Due to a back injury, he was unable to participate in the 2023 edition, and Nitish Rana captained the side in his absence. Shreyas returned this season and asserted his dominance.

After IPL 2021, De Villiers, hung up his boots, complimented Shreyas for his ability to remain composed and not succumb to pressure

“Shreyas Iyer has performed flawlessly. There were many talks, regarding him as captain. Right from the beginning of the tournament, I punted him. I admire his calm and collected temperament as a captain; he is an intelligent man and a brilliant cricketer. He never seems to rush things or show signs of pressure, however you know subconsciously that you occasionally feel anxious, especially when you’re playing at Eden Gardens,” stated de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

According to De Villiers, captaining seasoned cricket players is not an easy task. He claimed that Shreyas displayed outstanding skill in leading players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.

“Captaining seasoned players like Narine and Russell in particular is not an easy task. We are aware that people from the West Indies have distinct qualities; they tend to be cheerful and occasionally direct. With the cultural differences, it must occasionally be challenging to communicate effectively with some of these seasoned players,” he continued.

After claiming their place in the Qualifier, the two-time champions prepare to take on Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, May 19.

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