Shreyas Iyer, the former captain of the Punjab Kings, will return to the Eden Gardens for the first time as the skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after leading them to a title victory last year. Iyer, who guided KKR to IPL glory last season, was not retained by the franchise before the mega auction. Punjab Kings won the race with a whopping INR 26.75 crore bid.
Earlier in the season, Iyer masterminded a stunning low-score defense, guiding PBKS to Clarke further compared KKR to Mumbai Indians, suggesting the team has the firepower to bounce left in the memory for KKR and back strong victory over KKR in Mullanpur. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes Iyer will be raring to prove a point in the return fixture.
Michael Clarke, a former Australian skipper, doesn’t believe the Mullanpur defeat will weigh in Kolkata. too heavily on the home side. He believes that the game will be left in the memory for KKR and they won’t want to talk about it ever again. Clarke further compared KKR to Mumbai Riders and Punjab Kings Indians, suggesting the team has the firepower to bounce back strong.
In conclusion, the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings will only be performance,” the former India Adding about crucial IPL 2025 points but also mark an emotional homecoming for Iyer, who has been a key player for the KKR team As the IPL 2025 season heats up, one of the most emotionally charged moments awaits Shreyas Iyer his much anticipated return to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders with ambition and promise, found himself sidelined last season due to a persistent back injury. While KKR moved on with new leadership and strategies, questions loomed over Iyer’s absence and future with the franchise. Now, fully fit and raring to go — but no longer in KKR colors — his return to Kolkata feels more business.
Gavaskar pointed to the multiple facets of Iyer’s journey that now fuel his inner fire. After recovering from his injury, Iyer was overlooked for leadership roles and faced questions about his place even in the playing XI. Further intensifying matters, KKR’s management decisions seemed to signal a shift away from Iyer’s vision for the team. “He was a captain who invested emotionally in the side. To see yourself sidelined like that is bound to sting,” Gavaskar added.
Sunil Gavaskar, speaking in a pre-match discussion, did not mince words about the emotional and competitive burden Iyer carries. “Make no mistake, Shreyas will be hurt,” Gavaskar said. “The way things ended for him at KKR, it wasn’t smooth. He has at least half a dozen points to prove — to himself, to the management, and to the fans who once roared his name at Eden.
It’s not just a personal battle — it’s also a professional reckoning. Iyer’s form with the bat has been scrutinized ever since his injury return. While flashes of brilliance remind everyone of his immense talent, inconsistency has occasionally crept in. Now, facing his old crowd — perhaps divided in their loyalties Iyer knows every run scored and every shot played will be weighed.
Gavaskar believes this situation can bring the best out of Iyer. “Some players crumble under pressure; some thrive. Shreyas is in the latter category. The hurt, the need for redemption, and the pride — all of it could drive him to a career-defining performance,” the former India Adding more intrigue to the clash is the current composition of KKR itself. With new stars shining.
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