‘We played like invincibles’: Shreyas Iyer after KKR’s ‘flawless season’ in IPL

NEW DELHI: In a spectacular display of dominance, Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in a one-sided final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer lauded his team’s season-long invincibility, highlighting their comprehensive performance throughout the tournament.
“Absolutely comprehensive (the win).We played like invincibles throughout the season. There’s so much to cherish right now. This is what we demanded from the team and every individual,” Iyer said during the post-match presentation.
The final saw KKR’s bowlers shine, with Mitchell Starc‘s early breakthroughs and Andre Russell‘s three-wicket burst dismantling SRH‘s batting lineup. Starc’s two crucial wickets in the Powerplay stifled SRH’s momentum, setting the stage for KKR’s dominance.”That’s when all the big players stand up, right! It was a high-pressure game and he’s been so good off the field. He’s never shown any complacency in his work ethics. He stepped up to the right occasion,” Iyer remarked about Starc’s performance.
Russell’s magic with the ball further cemented KKR’s control, earning high praise from his captain. “He’s got that magic wand. He’s looking forward to pick wickets. All the guys stepped up at the right time and that’s made it easier. It has been a flawless season,” Iyer added.
Despite not being included in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Iyer expressed his desire to remain engaged with competitive cricket. “All we demanded from ourselves was to back each other whatever the situation is. Looking forward to play more competitive cricket,” he said.

We were outplayed: Pat Cummins

SRH captain Pat Cummins conceded that his team was outplayed, acknowledging the exceptional performance by KKR’s bowlers.
“I thought they bowled fantastically. We were outplayed. They didn’t give us anything. It was a tricky wicket and didn’t feel like a 200-plus wicket. 160 would have given us a chance,” Cummins stated.
Cummins also thanked his players and the fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. “I had not worked with many of the guys before but it was great working with them. A really great squad and the staff. We play a lot in India but in front of a sea of blue. So, it was good to have a crowd on our side at times,” he added.
As KKR celebrate their third IPL triumph, the theme of invincibility stands out, marking a season of flawless execution and team spirit under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer.
(With inputs from PTI)