While countering Shreyas Iyer’s statement, where he claimed there was little communication about his release by KKR before the IPL 2025 auction, Aakash Chopra hypothesized that KKR tried to maintain its core over years and did not care who liked or disliked franchises.
Shreyas Iyer, in an interview with Indian Express, said he had a wonderful time with KKR, but what left him ‘perplexed’ was that there were no ‘concrete efforts’ from the team to speak about retention for a couple of months. The ‘lack of communication’ led both parties to ‘mutually’ part ways. He was signed by Punjab Kings for a record amount of Rs. 26.75 crore.
“In years gone by, KKR have maintained their core. There may be opinions about this franchise. KKR have managed to sustain their core. Andre Russell or Sunil Narine has always been with KKR. The franchise bought Venkatesh Iyer in the auction because they weren’t able to retain him. This is a franchise that invests in relationships,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
“Shreyas Iyer did captain. He ought to have figured initially in their calculations. KKR did not have a word with him, he’s already said this in an interview. Now I can confirm that there was discussion between KKR and Shreyas Iyer. They had one long talk. There was no agreement. That’s a different story,” he added.
While hinting at KKR’s ‘apprehensions’ about landing in certain franchises, he cryptically added, ‘Karma is real’.
‘Let me not make it too clear. Shreyas had some qualms about how it played out at the auction; he was thinking “If I do come in at this club, will I get to play there?” Interesting stuff, what has happened. At times you start to think, “Karma is real yaar”; you never know. I can confirm discussions did take place. But Shreyas insists that discussions never took place. I don’t reconcile the two. I can confirm that there were talks. I too have my sources,’ he stated.
Shreyas had a successful run in the 2024 season by winning the IPL, the Ranji Trophy, the Irani Cup and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He has most recently been announced as PBKS’ captain, with the enormous responsibility of trying to lead one of the IPL’s most unsuccessful franchises into their first title.
Comments are closed.