LOGIN
  • Wion
  • /Sports
  • /KKR’s Shreyas Iyer lauds teammates after IPL triumph, says ‘we played like invincibles throughout’ - Sports News

KKR’s Shreyas Iyer lauds teammates after IPL triumph, says ‘we played like invincibles throughout’

Gautam Sodhi
Authored By Gautam Sodhi
Published: May 27, 2024, 05:40 IST | Updated: May 27, 2024, 05:40 IST
KKR’s Shreyas Iyer lauds teammates after IPL triumph, says ‘we played like invincibles throughout’

‘We played like invincibles' - Shreyas Iyer lauds teammates after IPL triumph

The IPL 2024 table-toppers, Kolkata Knight Riders, emerged victorious this season by beating SunRisers Hyderabad in the most one-sided IPL Final in Chennai on Sunday (May 26). Winning their third trophy overall, their first since 2014, KKR players and fans were elated after the win, with Captain Shreyas Iyer lauding the unit for playing tremendous cricket throughout. Having lost just three games across all stages this year, Iyer said his team "played like invincibles."

KKR was all over SRH in the summit clash at Chepauk. After being asked to bowl first, KKR removed the dangerous opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head inside the first two overs. Rahul Tripathi departed soon after, with wickets continuing to fall, puttingSRH’sposition in the spot of bother.

While the middle order tried saving the sinking ship with little contributions, KKR bowlers ran through their lineup to dismiss them for 113 – the lowest total recorded in IPL Finals ever.

ALSO READ:IPL 2024: KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun reveals mentor Gautam Gambhir's role behind Sunil Narine's success

This below-par target was never an issue with KKR, who chased it inside 11 overs and eight wickets remaining. Venkatesh Iyer top-scored with an unbeaten 52 off 26 balls, hitting three sixes and four fours, while opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit an impressive 39 from 32 balls.

"This is what we demanded from the team and every individual, theystood up on the right occasion,"Shreyas said after the title win.

"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."

"It is pleasing, and the performance has been flawless throughout. We have been tremendousrightfrom game one, and when we stepped [out]all we demanded from ourselves was to back each other no matter the situation. The game could have gone either way. They have been playing phenomenal cricket, SRH, throughout the season,”the KKR captain further said.

Iyer praises Starc,Russell

Team balance led KKR to their third IPL title, and two players – Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Andre Russell, were vital in theteam'ssuccess. While Russell was on the top of his game throughout, scoring 222 runs and picking 19 wickets, including three in the final, Starc upped the ante during the fag end of the tournament, picking 17 wickets in total.

Praising the duo for stepping up in the games that mattered the most, Iyer said,

"That [big games] is when all the big players stand up,"he said of Starc.

"It was a high-pressure game.Hehas been so good off the field. He has never shown anysort ofcomplacency in his work ethic. Every time we used to go to the plunge pool, he used to be there...Something for everyone to learn,"Iyer added.

Speaking about Russell,KKR’sasset, Iyer said he is a lucky charm for the franchise, with everyone proud of his performance.

"He has got that magic wand, which he is hiding somewhere on the field,"Shreyas said of Dre Russ."He is hoping to come and bowl and deliver for the team. He is waiting for me to call him all the time.

"Russell has been lucky for us.Almost ina majorityof the games, whenever he has bowled, he has picked up the wickets,andhehasgiven us the breakthrough,”he concluded.

Trending Topics