Kolkata Knight Riders not just picked Shreyas Iyer for Rs 12.25 crore in the recent IPL auction in Bangalore, but also appointed the India middle-order batsman as their captain for the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Iyer, who had captained Delhi Capitals to their only IPL final back in 2020, was released by the franchise, where he made just eight appearances after his 2021 season was cut short by a shoulder injury.

With the Knight Riders shelling out so much for Shreyas, it was imminent that they would appoint him as their captain even though the new squad again features ace pacer and Australia Test captain Pat Cummins, who had been a pivotal part of the Knights’ bowling attack in the last two IPLs.

“I am very excited to have one of India’s brightest future leaders in Shreyas Iyer take the reins at KKR,” head coach Brendon McCullum said in a statement on Wednesday. “I have enjoyed Shreyas’ game and his captaincy skills from afar and now will look forward to working closely with him to drive forward the success and style of play we want at KKR,” McCullum added.

Though the Knight Riders managed to make the final last year under Eoin Morgan’s captaincy, the England limited-overs skipper wasn’t in the best of form and couldn’t score one half-century. Morgan also went unsold in this year’s auction.

On Shreyas’ part, he will be on the lookout to find the “right synergies” to achieve KKR’s goals. “I am extremely honoured to have gotten the opportunity to lead a prestigious team like KKR.

“The IPL, as a tournament, brings the best players from different countries and cultures together and I look forward to leading this great group of very talented individuals,” Shreyas said.

“I would like to thank the management and I am confident that we will find the right synergies to achieve the team’s goals.”

Batting has continued to be KKR’s area of concern over the years, and Shreyas, for sure, will have a crucial role to play in terms of bolstering the department.

“He has impressed one and all as a quality batsman at the highest level, and we are confident that he will excel as a leader of Team KKR,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore said.