New Delhi, March 14 (NationPress) Anil Kumble, the former captain of India and iconic leg-spinner, has showered accolades on Shreyas Iyer, deeming him a remarkably underrated yet extraordinary leader in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kumble believes that Iyer's leadership abilities are frequently undervalued, even though the batsman consistently showcases strong performances as a captain.

Discussing Iyer’s leadership evolution, Kumble emphasized the challenges a captain faces when transitioning between different franchises in the fiercely competitive IPL landscape. He pointed out that the shift between teams often entails new hurdles, including management dynamics and team culture.

“Shreyas Iyer is undeniably an underrated skipper. Achieving success with one franchise and then moving to another is no small feat. Each team presents its own management structure, atmosphere, and dynamics, along with varying pressures. The franchise he joined had not reached the finals in a decade, yet in his inaugural season with the Punjab Kings, he led them to the final,” Kumble remarked during an interview with JioStar, reflecting on Iyer's influence at the Punjab Kings.

Kumble also lauded Iyer’s capacity to lead from the front, noting that the batsman’s impact transcends tactical decisions made on the field. “I was not only impressed by his captaincy but also by his leadership style. Some players feel the need to continually prove themselves. Shreyas is one of those players. Despite his accomplishments, skepticism remains. I believe he is underrated, yet he is an exceptional leader,” Kumble stated.

The former Indian captain then shifted his focus to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and their player retention strategy, questioning the franchise’s choice to part ways with pivotal members of their championship-winning squad.

“Two years back, KKR triumphed in the IPL, securing their third title. Two significant contributors to that victory were Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt. Both were instrumental in their success. However, KKR decided to release both players, demonstrating inconsistency in their retention policies,” Kumble commented.

He further contended that releasing a championship-winning captain could considerably diminish a team's structural integrity and leadership stability, stating, “KKR made a poor choice by letting Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt go. This has deprived them of an IPL-winning captain. While Ajinkya Rahane is seasoned and has led teams in domestic cricket and the IPL, he has yet to win the IPL title as a captain. Having a skipper who has experienced winning the trophy is advantageous.”

Kumble concluded by underscoring the importance of continuity within franchises for achieving long-term success in the IPL.

“KKR has lost that edge. They must learn to retain their key players; otherwise, they will continue to face challenges and cannot be seen as contenders for the trophy,” he wrapped up.