"Need to improve" - Shreyas Iyer slams his players despite KKR's win vs SRH in IPL 2024

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer opened up about the win his side registered over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He admitted that he had butterflies in his stomach from 17th over but he had belief in Harshit Rana.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are off and going in the IPL 2024 as they registered a 4-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It was a nail-biter that went down the wire and saw Shreyas Iyer’s army winning the game by the barest of margins.

After KKR posted a total of 208 runs on the board, they had the game in their grasp with the ball as well. Till the 17th over, they looked favorites to win the game and the win predictor gave them a 99% chance. However, there was a massive twist in the tale as Heinrich Klaasen turned the game on his head.

The batter went berserk and brought out his beast mode. Klaasen scored 63 runs off 29 balls and took the game to the last over. With 13 runs needed off the last over, the batter smacked six on the first ball. But Harshit Rana held his nerves and defended the target to win the game for his team.

Shreyas Iyer mentioned that Harshit Rana was nervous but he told him to back himself as it could be a career-changing moment for him. Speaking to the broadcasters after the game, he explained:

“Right from the 17th over, had butterflies in my stomach. Felt anything could happen in the last over. They needed 13 runs and we didn’t have the most experienced bowler. But I had the belief in him, and I told him to back himself and it doesn’t matter what happens.

“He was a bit nervous coming in, and I just looked him in the eye and told him ‘This is your moment, buddy.’ Told him to back himself and doesn’t matter what happens in the game.”

Fantastic to have them around – Shreyas Iyer on Andre Russell and Sunil Narine

Andre Russell and Sunil Narine were the two key performers for Shreyas Iyer’s team in the game against SRH. While Russell scored 63* runs and picked two wickets, Narine returned with figures of 1/19 in his four overs.

Shreyas Iyer was in awe of performances by Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, saying that it’s great for the team to have them. He while acknowledging the win admitted that his team needs to work on a few things in the game. He added:

“(On Russell and Narine) They have such experience. Great to see Andre perform with bat and ball, and even Sunny (Narine) was splendid with the ball. Fantastic to have them around. Always gives you motivation when you start with a win.

“This game also gives us a lot of learnings, there is a lot we will take from this ground. I think fielding is an area we need to improve on. It was so loud out there, it was difficult to signal to the other players from the deep.”

Shreyas Iyer will be next seen in action when Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday (29th March).