MUMBAI: In the realm of cricket, where the captain typically holds significant authority, the presence of prominent figures within the coaching staff can sometimes overshadow the captain's contributions to the team's achievements. This is exemplified by Shreyas Iyer's experience.

As the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Iyer demonstrated exceptional leadership during their victorious campaign in the 2024 IPL. However, the notable coaching presence of Gautam Gambhir, Chandrakant Pandit, and Abhishek Nayar often eclipsed Iyer's role as the team's leader.

Nonetheless, Iyer's recent success in guiding Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) against Madhya Pradesh has showcased his capabilities as a leader, extending beyond merely executing strategies from the sidelines.

While the SMAT national championship may lack international stars, it remains a demanding competition. By steering Mumbai to the trophy, Iyer has reaffirmed his status as an astute T20 captain, adept in navigating the complexities of contemporary cricket while excelling in player management.

One of the perennial challenges in leadership is maximizing the potential of senior players. Iyer successfully accomplished this with Andre Russell and Sunil Narine at KKR. In Mumbai, he led a team rich in leadership, including India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and Ajinkya Rahane, who captains the Ranji Trophy side. Notably, Rahane thrived under Iyer's captaincy, emerging as the tournament's leading run-scorer and earning the Player-of-the-Tournament award. Yadav also made a pivotal contribution in the final held at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday evening.

BACKING YOUNGSTERS

Simultaneously, difficult decisions were made. Choosing to bench senior players is always a challenging task, yet Iyer's choice to field the young left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar in place of the experienced Shams Mulani during the tournament proved to be effective. Ankolekar, at just 24 years old, played a pivotal role in Mumbai's dominance during the initial 10 overs of the final match. He delivered two overs in the powerplay, conceding only seven runs, and concluded with impressive figures of 4-0-19-1. Additionally, he contributed significantly to the batting effort, scoring 16 not out off six balls to help secure a difficult chase alongside another promising talent, 21-year-old Suryansh Shedge, who scored an unbeaten 36 off 15 deliveries.

Coach Omkar Salvi acknowledged Iyer's decision regarding Ankolekar. “I believe the captain made a wise choice by resting the senior player (Mulani), who required a break, and introducing Ankolekar, who was fresh and performed admirably,” he stated.

Elaborating on his leadership philosophy, Iyer emphasized the importance of understanding the varying abilities of players based on their experience. “It is enjoyable, yet it can also be challenging at times, particularly in T20 cricket where the pace of the game can outstrip your thoughts. We do not need to instruct the experienced players, as they have encountered similar situations before and have successfully navigated high-pressure scenarios. However, with younger players, it is crucial to engage in discussions about how they perceive the situation at that moment. Some may adapt quickly, while others may require more time, so it is essential to comprehend their mindset and avoid treating everyone uniformly,” Iyer remarked at the Mumbai Cricket Association office on Monday.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured the services of Iyer at the auction for ₹26.75 crores, marking the second-highest bid in IPL history. Ricky Ponting, the head coach, recognized Iyer's leadership potential during his tenure with the Delhi franchise. In 2018, at the age of 23, Iyer was appointed as the new captain of the then-Delhi Daredevils, succeeding Gambhir, and he made an immediate impact. Under his captaincy, the Delhi Capitals reached the playoffs in the 2019 IPL after a seven-year absence. In 2020, he guided the team to their first IPL final against the Mumbai Indians.

Having achieved another title, the Mumbai batter is aware that the new franchise will have elevated expectations. "I am certainly thrilled to have accumulated so many trophies, as it serves as a significant source of motivation and inspiration. However, I also recognize that expectations will be higher now, and with that comes pressure. Personally, when people refer to someone as a clean-hitter, it implies that their mindset is to excel under pressure. This is a topic we frequently discuss in our team meetings."

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