Indian batter Shreyas Iyer on Sunday (20th March) said that he enjoyed playing under KL Rahul’s captaincy as his on-field decision making is very instinctive.
KL Rahul captained Team India during South Africa tour earlier this year. The right-hander first led the side during the second Test in Johannesburg in absence of Virat Kohli, who was out due to a back spasm.
The 29-year-old then was named skipper for the ODI series as regular capitan Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Even though Rahul lost all the matches as a skipper, his decision making was spot on and few also praised him for his tactics. He also gave Shreyas Iyer three overs during the third ODI against the Proteas. The Mumbai-born cricketer conceded 21 runs at an economic rate of 7.
Speaking on Red Bull Cricket Room on Clubhouse, Shreyas Iyer said that he enjoyed playing under the leadership of ‘outstanding player’ KL Rahul. He highlighted that the right-hander boosts the confidence of the players and gives them the support they need.
"It was nice to play under him. Firstly, he is an outstanding player. The confidence he carries on the field and in the team meetings, the support that he provides to the players it great," Shreyas Iyer said.
Iyer hailed Rahul as a ‘calm demeanour’ and said that his decision making on the field is very ‘instinctive’. He cheekily said that the Lucknow Super Giants skipper is his favourite captain as he gave him three overs to bowl during South Africa tour.
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“He's got a very calm demeanour and his on-field decision making is very instinctive. I really enjoyed playing under him. Also, he gave me three overs of bowling, which none of the captains previously had done. So yeah, he's my favourite captain!,” he said.
KL Rahul also has the experience of leading Punjab Kings in IPL. The Karnataka-born batter captained the franchise in two seasons. He was named as one of the drafts picks of the new franchise Lucknow Super Giants and will also lead them in the upcoming IPL 2022.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2022 auction for INR 12.25 crores and was also named as the new skipper of the franchise.
KKR will face CSK in the tournament opener at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on March 26. Whereas LSG will begin their campaign against the second new team Gujarat Titans at the same venue on March 28.
(PTI inputs)
