Chandrakant Pandit Finds Shreyas Iyer Worthy of Leading Indian Team in the Future

In a significant endorsement, Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Chandrakant Pandit has expressed his belief that Shreyas Iyer has the qualities necessary to lead the Indian cricket team in the future. This statement comes on the heels of Iyer leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in a commanding final at the M. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Making of a Leader

Shreyas Iyer’s leadership has been nothing short of inspirational. Under his captaincy, KKR clinched their third IPL title, and his calm and composed demeanor on the field has drawn praise from all quarters. “I would give a lot of credit to Shreyas. He’s been a fantastic captain, very calm and cool. He was receptive to our suggestions and handled the team well on and off the field. With KKR, he showed the qualities which make him worthy for India captaincy in the future,” said Pandit.

Pandit’s coaching career is illustrious, having won the Ranji Trophy with Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh before taking up the role with KKR. His accolades as a coach now include an IPL title, further solidifying his reputation as one of the best in the business.

Overcoming Adversity

Iyer’s journey to success has not been without its challenges. He was not included in India’s squad for the remaining three Tests against England and faced criticism for his form and fitness. Additionally, Iyer lost his BCCI central contract, a setback for any cricketer. However, Pandit admired Iyer’s resilience and focus. “Any player will be a little disappointed with that (BCCI contract snub). However, that should not affect his performance. Whenever we would discuss anything, we would never touch upon that point. We were clear that the task at hand was more important. I remember that he told me: ‘Sir, I’ll prove it.’ The way he has batted in this IPL, he now seems to be more mature and sensible,” Pandit added.

The Path Ahead

Despite these setbacks, Iyer managed to make a strong comeback in IPL 2024, scoring 351 runs at a strike rate of 146.86 in 14 matches. His performance and leadership have not gone unnoticed, with many experts, including former KKR player Robin Uthappa, echoing Pandit’s sentiments about Iyer’s potential to lead the national team.

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