Shreyas Iyer is a born leader, says KKR mentor David Hussey

Kolkata Knight Riders mentor David Hussey feels new skipper Shreyas Iyer has a good cricketing brain and has proved his skills as a leader during his stint as Delhi Capitals captain. Iyer, who led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020, was bought by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the mega auction last month. He was named captain by KKR team management ahead of pacer Pat Cummins, who leads the Australian Test side.

"Shreyas is a born leader, just the way he walks around, he commands respect. Knowing Pat (Cummins) really well, he would be a good deputy and would also lead from the front," Hussey said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. "But the way Shreyas has captained in the past for Delhi, he has a very good cricket brain and a nice vision of how to play the game and I think he will express himself really well.

I think it's a smart move from Brendon (McCullum) and KKR management." Iyer has been in sensational form recently for India. Asked Hussey how he would go about coaching the 27-year-old, he replied: "The best coaching is to just leave the good players alone, let them go where they work. "He is in rare form at the moment.

I don't know him, I'm getting to know him but he comes across as a true leader and a person who knows his game really really well." KKR were dealt a blow after T20 specialist Alex Hales withdrew from the tournament citing bubble fatigue. Adding to KKR's misery is that the Australian duo of Cummins and Aaron Finch, who was roped in as Hales' replacement, are expected to miss the team's first few games as they are touring Pakistan. "It is a concern to not have your best players available but saying that international cricket is paramount.