Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer has opened up on his tough phase after the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Iyer batted at his best in the ODI showpiece, scoring 530 runs in 11 matches at an average of 66.25.

However, the right-hander failed to convert the same form in the five-match Test series against England. Iyer scored 104 runs in two Test matches at an average of 26 and thus could not deliver for the home team.

Iyer was then dropped from the squad and there were reports that he complained of back pain. The Mumbai batter was then left out of the BCCI central contract list of players.

Shreyas Iyer said ahead of the IPL final, “I was struggling after the World Cup in the longer format. When I raised my concern, no one was agreeing to it. But at the same time, the competition is with myself.

“When IPL was approaching, all I wanted was to see to it that I put in my best foot forward and whatever planning and strategizing we did before it, if we could execute it to the best of our ability, we would have been a great spot and that’s where we are now.”

Meanwhile, Iyer has scored 345 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 146.19.

On the other hand, Iyer gave credit to KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir for playing a key role and guiding the team to the final of the IPL 2024. Gambhir also led KKR to glory in 2012 and 2014 as he did a fine job as a captain.

“I feel he (Gambhir) has immense knowledge about how the game has played, he has won two titles with KKR and his strategies have been spot on in terms of what execution we have to make. He adds a lot of cream in the team. Hopefully, we continue with the same momentum in the final as well with his knowledge being put out there.”

Iyer hasn’t been picked for India’s T20 World Cup squad.