Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop has criticized trolls for targeting Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite KKR topping the table, Iyer has faced harsh criticism on social media from fans, who have instead credited mentor and former captain Gautam Gambhir for the franchise's stunning form this season. Bishop went to
While Gambhir has certainly brought back the winning mentality to KKR, Bishop highlighted Iyer's respectable record as captain in the previous seasons.
“Shreyas became DC captain in 2018 when GG resigned after DC lost 5 of the first 6 gms. DC then finished the season winning 4 of the next 8 matches. 2019 DC 3rd, 2020 DC 2nd. 2021 injury and only 8 gms, so Pant was the captain 2022, new franchise, 7th missed 2023. 2024,” Bishop commented on his post.
Questioning the double standards, Bishop said, “So GG gets the credit when they win. Shreyas gets the blame when they lose? Or will you say it's GG's fault when they lose?”
So GG gets the credit if they win. Will Shreyas be blamed if they lose? Or are you saying it's GG's fault if they lose?
— Ian Raphael Bisschop (@irbishi) May 6, 2024
Since returning to the franchise as a mentor, Gambhir has been quite active in the dugout, passing on tactical assistants to Iyer during timeouts and breaks.
During the press conference on Sunday, KKR pacer Harshit Rana also mentioned Gambhir for his tactical brilliance.
On Sunday, the red-hot Sunil Narine hit 81 off 39 balls to help KKR beat Lucknow Super Giants by 98 runs and take the top spot in the IPL table.
Narine's blitz, peppered with six fours and seven sixes, guided Kolkata to 235-6 after they were invited to bat first in Lucknow's last home match.
Two-time champions Kolkata bowled out Lucknow for 137 in 16.1 overs for their eighth win in 11 matches and almost guaranteed a play-off berth. Second-placed Rajasthan Royals have played one match less.
The top four teams will reach the play-offs with the final on May 26 in Chennai.
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