'I didn't get the recognition' - Shreyas Iyer on Kolkata Knight Riders releasing him ahead of mega auction

The IPL 2025 will be featuring some big Indian stars who have recently given incredible performances in the Champions Trophy. The leading run-getter for India in the tournament was Shreyas Iyer who might have been released by Kolkata Knight Riders but will continue in his leadership role, for the Punjab Kings this time.

The swashbuckling middle-order batter was roped in by the franchise for INR 26.75 crore and has had a great stint as an IPL captain. Shreyas Iyer has played two IPL finals and led the KKR franchise to their third title last season which was also the reason that shocked the fans as to why he was released by the team.

The Mumbai batter has opened up on his relationship with the franchise and brought up how his efforts went unnoticed while leading the team last season when he was asked whether he felt any frustration as the franchise completely ignored him in the auction.

“Frustration toh nahi tha (Frustration was not there) because I was playing IPL. The major focus was to win the IPL, and thankfully, I won it. I personally felt I didn't get the recognition I wanted to after winning the IPL but at the end of the day, as long as you have self integrity and you keep doing the right things when no one is watching, that is more important and that is what I kept doing,” Iyer said as quoted by The Times of India.

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“When I talk about recognition, it's about getting that respect. It was about the respect for whatever efforts I put on the field. I think sometimes it gets unnoticed but extremely satisfied with the efforts I put in because they weren't easy wickets to bat on," Iyer added.

Speaking of Shreyas Iyer’s record in the Champions Trophy, he scored 243 runs at an average of 48.60 emerging as the second-highest run scorer in the ICC event. He scored two half-centuries with his highest being his score of 79 against New Zealand in a group stage match. He also played a great hand in the finals as well.