"You Are Not Suffocating Players...": Shreyas Iyer Gets Unique Compliment After Guiding KKR Into IPL 2024 Final

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson lauded Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer for his performance as a leader in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), leading his team to the final, saying that a complete team performance by the Knights throughout the season only reflects how well he is doing as a leader and giving everyone the freedom to play their best. Riding on a combination of Mitchell Starc's red-hot scorching spell, Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer's belligerent fifties, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 summit clash after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 8-wicket in a lopsided Qualifier 1 contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.

Speaking on Iyer's leadership and knock of 58*, Watson said to JioCinema, "He played a crucial innings. He has batted nicely throughout this IPL but to be able to put up a dominant display like he did, 58 runs, it is a very impressive time as well, to know you are hitting the ball incredibly well. As a leader, he has had a lot of success. This means he is getting the best of the people around him."

"It is not just him doing his thing, he is performing well, the team and players around him are doing very well, which is a telltale sign that you as a leader are doing a very good job. You are not suffocating players around you by putting too much pressure on them, you are allowing people to have the freedom to play their best and tonight, they were all really good," he added.

In the ongoing season, Iyer has scored 345 runs in 13 innings at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 146.18, with two half-centuries. His best score is 58*.

This tournament has witnessed an all-round team performance from the