On Thursday, Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore revealed that Shreyas Iyer will retain his role as the captain of KKR, while Nitish Rana will serve as his vice-captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
In the previous IPL season (2023), Shreyas Iyer had to miss out due to injury, leading to Nitish Rana taking on the captaincy responsibilities as the Knight Riders concluded the season in the eighth position. Iyer marked his return to competitive cricket during the 2023 Asia Cup held in September-October. Additionally, he played a crucial role in India’s journey to the 2023 World Cup final, showcasing his form and fitness after the injury setback.
Venky, while making the announcement, expressed, “It was indeed unfortunate that Shreyas missed IPL 2023 due to injury. We are delighted that he’s back and at the helm as Captain. The way he has worked hard to recover from his injury and the form he has displayed is a testament to his character.”
The Knight Riders also officially welcomed back Gautam Gambhir as a mentor last month. Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned to the franchise after being released before the 2018 season. Following his retirement, Gambhir served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants for two years (in 2022 and 2023).
Venky added, “We are also grateful that Nitish had agreed to step into Shreyas’s shoes last season and did a great job. There’s no doubt Nitish as Vice Captain will support Shreyas in every possible way for the benefit of #TeamKKR.”
In response, Shreyas Iyer commended Nitish Rana for taking over as captain in 2023, and with Rana now appointed as vice-captain for the upcoming edition, Iyer said, “I believe the last season presented us with several challenges, including my absence due to injury. Nitish did a great job not only filling in for me but also with his commendable leadership. I am delighted that KKR has named him Vice Captain. No doubt it will strengthen the leadership group.”