From setbacks to success: Shreyas Iyer's journey to IPL 2024 victory

Shreyas Iyer (Pic: File Pic)

When Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer recreated Lionel Messi's famous World Cup celebration after winning the IPL 2024, it was nothing sort of an Argentina moment for him. Earlier, he was also snubbed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's central contract.

He finally found a deep sense of triumph and vindication in this victory, much like Messi did after exorcising the ghosts of losing the 2014 final and winning the trophy for his country after a 36-year wait.

Following the Iyer-led KKR victory, the two-time champions Kolkata waited 10 years to lift the trophy. Little wonder then that he chose to imitate the man who knows all about rising from setbacks. So, Iyer, with the trophy in his hands, took a playful walk towards his teammates, quite similar to what Messi did after the final against France in Doha, and handed the big prize to them.

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"I am hearing a lot about Gautam Gambhir, who has created a magnificent culture in the KKR team. But this guy (Iyer), I don't think he is getting enough credit. Shreyas Iyer needs some credit," said the legendary Ian Bishop after KKR's triumph against SRH at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Openers Sunil Narine and Phil Salt have got the most runs for Kolkata, but they played as a team and managed to come out victorious in the dominant season, topping the table with two rounds to spare, and enduring just three losses in between.

"It is hard to express how we are feeling right now. The wait was so long. We played like invincibles throughout the season. There is so much to cherish right now," said Iyer.

For Shreyas Iyer's childhood coach Pravin Amre, it was a sort of special feeling. Amre was the one who tested Iyer and promoted him to bat at number three from number seven in his maiden Ranji season in 2014-15.

Iyer returned with 153, his maiden first-class hundred in their match against Bengal at Eden Gardens in December 2014. "I challenged him in his entire career (in Mumbai)...I knew how strong-willed he's and it was my job as a coach to challenge him. He always liked to take the challenge in a good stride. he is a good team man. In the last World Cup, he scored 530 runs," Amre said.

"I always told him you just do whatever is in your hands, let the other people do their job, you just remain focus on what's in your hands," added Amre who first took him under his wings at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana.

By leading KKR into the final, Iyer achieved the rare feat of playing the summit clash as captain of two different franchises in the IPL. The KKR skipper missed the last season because of a back injury that required surgery in London last year. He made a comeback in the Asia Cup and went on to become India's third leading run-getter after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in last year's ODI World Cup.

The year didn't start well for him though as he had a difficult outing in the home Test series against England and looked patchy scoring 140 runs in the first two matches before being left out for the final three Tests.

It was learnt that he developed the recurring back problem, even though he was cleared by the Board medical staff. Iyer then became the centre of a controversy when he missed the Ranji Trophy for his home state Mumbai and went on to attend KKR's pre-season camp. Iyer, however, returned to play for Mumbai in the semifinal and final against Vidarbha where he scored a resolute 95 in the second innings of their 42nd Ranji triumph.

The Board omitted him from the Grade B contract and BCCI secretary Jay Shah issued a stern warning asking players not to prioritise IPL over domestic cricket.

Under intense scrutiny, Iyer looked rusty at the start of the IPL and got out for a two-ball duck in their opener against SRH.
He had some significant contributions later on but his efforts were all overshadowed by Narine and Salt's explosive batting.

However, Iyer personified "Captain Cool" and held the team's cause ahead of his individual milestones. He went on to become the fourth leading run-getter for KKR this season with 351 runs and two fifties.

Shreyas Iyer's best knock of the IPL 2024 came during the qualifier one match against SRH where he scored unbeaten 58 guiding his team to the finals of the mega event. "The way he handled the team as a player is commendable. More than that, he is improving as a leader and the experts in the game are also appreciating his leadership qualities," Amre said.

"I personally believe success is not an accident he has worked hard for this, handling the team. Yes, he had a good team under him but bringing the best out of everyone is important," he added.

(With PTI Inputs)