Shreyas Iyer is back as Kolkata Knight Riders captain for IPL 2024 after missing last season with a back injury.

Nitish Rana, who replaced Shreyas as captain, will be the vice-captain.

“I believe the last season presented us with several challenges, including my absence due to injury,” Shreyas said in a statement. “Nitish did a great job not only filling in for me but also with his commendable leadership. I am delighted that KKR has named him vice-captain. No doubt it will strengthen the leadership group.”

Shreyas’s choice as captain this season was only a formality after he regained fitness, sources told The Telegraph. KKR had informed all concerned last season itself that the India middle-order batter would be back in the hot seat since Rana was only replacing him in a stand-in capacity.

“It was indeed unfortunate that Shreyas missed IPL 2023 due to injury. We are delighted that he’s back and at the helm as captain,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore said. “The way he has worked hard to recover from his injury and the form he has displayed is a testament to his character.

“We are also grateful that Nitish had agreed to step into Shreyas’s shoes last season and did a great job. There’s no doubt Nitish as vice-captain will support Shreyas in every possible way for the benefit of #TeamKKR.”

KKR had a below-par season last time finishing seventh and were eliminated in the group stages under Rana.

Gautam Gambhir is back in the support staff this time as mentor.