Venkatesh Iyer has spoken about the demanding environment created by Gautam Gambhir during the 2024 IPL season at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The batter reflected on how Gambhir’s presence and expectations shaped the team’s approach and mindset throughout the tournament.
Iyer described the intensity and standards that Gambhir maintained within the dressing room as a defining feature of KKR’s campaign.
Iyer explained that Gambhir’s influence extended beyond tactical decisions to the overall culture of the team. The former KKR captain, who had previously led the franchise to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, returned as a mentor in 2024 and helped them secure another championship. Iyer highlighted how this mentorship approach differed from typical coaching setups, creating a unique dynamic among the players.
“He was sitting right behind us. There was no fear. And there was no place for mediocrity in that dressing room. You can’t play a mediocre shot or a false stroke and come sit next to him. You can’t do that,” Iyer was quoted as saying by The Cricket News.
“Not that, and it wasn’t a written rule… you could sit there if you wanted, but in my view, perhaps his aura was such that: ‘Boss, only excellence will work in this team, mediocrity will not be tolerated,’” Iyer said.
Iyer described the unspoken standards that Gambhir established within the squad through his presence and demeanour. The environment he created communicated clear expectations to every player in the team without the need for formal instruction.
The competitive environment extended to batting preparations and field placements. Iyer described how KKR’s batters remained padded up and ready from the second over onwards, creating a state of constant willingness to head out to the middle. This approach meant that any batter could be called upon at any moment, depending on match situations and the opposition’s performance.
“Our two openers, Narine and Salt, would go out to bat. Angkrish would sit there with his pads on. He just sat there, while the rest of us- me, Shreyas, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep, and Andre Russell- sat inside; all five of us would be padded up and ready to go from the second over itself.” Iyer said.
What was the batting preparation system under Gambhir?
The competitive atmosphere among the batters created a sense of urgency and readiness that permeated the entire squad. Every player understood that an opportunity could come at any moment, and they needed to be mentally and physically prepared to seize it. This dynamic kept the batting unit sharp and focused throughout the tournament.
“There was this competition; anyone could go in at any moment, boss. We stayed ready, like literally. I, of course, saw it from my own perspective, but looking at them, they were like lions ready to go: ‘Just send us in, we’ll go and…’ And touch wood, Salt and Narine wouldn’t get out, they wouldn’t get out for a long time.” Iyer said.
How did Gambhir manage the batting order during matches?
Gambhir’s tactical flexibility in managing the batting order reflected his experience and understanding of match situations. He adjusted the combination of batters based on how the opening partnership was progressing and what the match demanded at any given moment. This approach allowed KKR to maintain momentum and adapt to changing circumstances during their successful 2024 campaign.
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“If they didn’t get out for three or four overs, GG sir from over there would say: ‘Angkrish, Venky is going next’, and I’d be ready. If they still didn’t get out for two more overs, he’d say from there: ‘It’s a left-right combination, Venky and Shreyas ’- and both of us would be ready. Then, if they stayed in even longer: ‘Call Russell, tell Russell’; but all of us were raring to go like that,” Iyer said.
“That was the first time I witnessed something like that: give us an opportunity and we will go smash it,” he added.
