IPL 2024: Shreyas Iyer to Return as KKR Captain with Nitish Rana as His Deputy

Shreyas Iyer will return to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The young Indian batter missed out last year due to injury with Nitish Rana replacing as the skipper for the entire season as the franchise ended seventh on the tally with 6 wins and 12 points.

On Thursday, KKR CEO Venky Mysore confirmed that Iyer will continue to be the captain of KKR and Nitish Rana will be his deputy for the IPL 2024.

Making the announcement, Mysore said, “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.”

“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,” he added.

On his return as KKR captain, Iyer praised Rana’s commendable leadership during his absence in the last season.

“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,” Iyer said.

The 29-year-old had missed the entire IPL 2023 season because of a back injury that required surgery in London in April, forcing KKR to give captaincy to Nitish Rana. Iyer made a comeback in the Asia Cup in September and returned to form in the home series against Australia with an 86-ball hundred in Mohali.

In the recently-concluded World Cup, he batted in the key No. 4 slot, scoring 530 runs from 11 innings with two centuries and three fifties at an average of 66.25.