"Who’s the Real Knight in Shining Armor? Gavaskar Says It’s Not Just Gambhir

Image Source: Hindustan Times

In a key IPL 2025 season talking point, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has come out in public criticism of the reportage surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) 2024 championship victory, averring that erstwhile captain Shreyas Iyer did not get the credit he should have, with a large amount of credit going to mentor Gautam Gambhir instead. Gavaskar's comments have reopened debate about the contribution and recognition of captains vis-à-vis coaches and mentors within IPL teams.

Key Points:

Sunil Gavaskar, in a comment on Star Sports, insisted that Shreyas Iyer was undeservedly overlooked for KKR's title victory in IPL 2024, with the limelight turned towards mentor Gautam Gambhir.
Gavaskar pointed out that the captain, who takes important decisions on the field, should take credit for the team's success, not an individual "sitting in the dugout.".
After KKR’s 2024 triumph, Iyer was released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction, despite leading them to a title and scoring 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) signed Shreyas Iyer for a record INR 26.75 crore, and under his leadership, PBKS qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Gavaskar was content that finally this season, Iyer is getting his due credit for the turnaround of PBKS, and praise is not just in the name of head coach Ricky Ponting alone.

Iyer himself said he did feel underrated after KKR's victory, adding that personal integrity is more important than public recognition.

PBKS are third in IPL 2025, with Iyer leading from the front both on and off the field-scoring 405 runs in 11 matches at 50.63 average, including four half-centuries.

The duos of Iyer and Ponting, who had worked together at Delhi Capitals, have been brought into focus as reasons for PBKS's success, but Gavaskar maintains that the captain's role is the key.

"He didn't receive the credit for last year's IPL win. All the accolades were bestowed upon somebody else. It is the captain who has a big role to play in what is going on in the middle and not some body sitting in the dugout. See, this season he is receiving good credit. Nobody is conferring all the credit to Ricky Pontng, - Sunil Gavaskar on Star Sports.".

Sources: Hindustan Times, India TV News, Live Hindustan, NDTV Sports, Times Now News