Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu is renowned for his clever remarks, and recently, he offered high praise for Kolkata Knight Riders' captain Shreyas Iyer. Sidhu commended the Indian batsman, comparing him to "Shahid Afridi with brains." With Shreyas set to lead KKR in IPL 2024, this presents a significant opportunity for him to showcase his skills against formidable opponents, especially after not being included in the BCCI central contracts. Sidhu expressed his confidence in Shreyas, stating that he doesn't foresee him playing conservatively and applauding his adeptness at adapting to various batting scenarios.
Rishabh Pant has earned my admiration as a fan due to his distinctive style. While it's natural to have role models, Pant's unique approach sets him apart. His adeptness at sweeps, pulls, and playing aggressively even in England showcases his skills. Moreover, his ability to bounce back from injuries and perform in the IPL is praiseworthy," Sidhu expressed on Star Sports.
He further emphasized, "Overcoming challenges not only shows your resilience but also strengthens you tenfold."
When discussing Shreyas Iyer, Sidhu likened him to a bulldozer, drawing parallels with Shahid Afridi but with a more strategic mindset. "Iyer's capability to adapt to various game situations is commendable," he added.
Switching gears, Gautam Gambhir, the successful leader of KKR, is now back as a mentor for his franchise's second innings. Shah Rukh Khan, the team's principal owner, has charged Gambhir with the responsibility, saying, "This franchise is yours to make or break." Gambhir led KKR to great heights from 2011 to 2017, securing two IPL titles, five playoffs, and a runners-up position in the Champions League T20 tournament.
The headline signing for KKR this IPL season is Mitchell Starc, acquired for a record sum of Rs 24.75 crore. The left-arm quick will face immense pressure to deliver, particularly in power-play and death overs. With Starc and Andre Russell being the only experienced pacers in the squad and no direct replacements for them, managing their workload becomes critical.
KKR's batting lineup is star-studded with players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Phil Salt, Venkatesh Iyer, and Shreyas, backed by Russell and Rinku Singh's firepower towards the end of innings.
However, the team mentored by Gambhir will heavily depend on the favorable home conditions to provide adequate spin support, aiming to assist players such as Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Suyash Sharma.
