It was unfortunate for KKR to miss Shreyas Iyer: Chandrakant Pandit

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit feels it was unfortunate that the franchise chose not to retain Shreyas Iyer ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The veteran coach, along with Shreyas and mentor Gautam Gambhir, was part of the IPL 2024 title-winning set-up. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, the experienced coach opened up on Shreyas’s departure, the transformation of Rajat Patidar in the T20 format, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and more. Here are the excerpts:

Do you think KKR made a mistake by letting go of Shreyas Iyer?

Chandrakant Pandit: Unfortunately, we missed him. Shreyas is a wonderful player who won the trophy for KKR as captain, and the way he has handled the team. But sometimes, certain circumstances force you to leave such players. Because there are big strategies. Obviously, as a coach, when I was at KKR, I felt bad about that. Because it was not a purposeful thing, but it didn’t work for us. I mean, it’s not only Shreyas, but I think [Phil] Salt or other players when we talk about it. I would really want to appreciate the owners – Mr Shah Rukh Khan, Mr Jai Mehta, Juhi Chawla – and CEO Venky Mysore. They were all very supportive.

How do you assess KKR’s performance this season?

Pandit: Things aren’t working for KKR at the moment. It’s not about a lack of effort. When a team scores 200 or 220 and still loses, as a coach, I wouldn’t blame anyone – you also have to appreciate that the opposition batted exceptionally well. There have been a few setbacks too. Sunil Narine wasn’t fully fit, and Varun didn’t perform well and was also dealing with fitness issues. These kinds of factors create an imbalance in the team. From what I’ve seen, they are trying everything, but it’s just not clicking.

The bowling unit has also been under pressure, especially when the batting swings between totals like 180 and 190. I’m not here to blame anyone – having been part of the team as a former coach, I understand how it feels. Unfortunately, the bad days seem to be coming repeatedly. That said, it was good to see them win the first game against Rajasthan Royals. There are still seven matches left, and they can build on that. Even if things don’t go perfectly, they should aim to play for pride and finish strongly.

There has been criticism of Ajinkya Rahane’s T20 approach. What is your take?

Pandit: Ajinkya has performed well over the last couple of seasons whenever he has had the opportunity to bat. Even in domestic cricket, including T20s, he has shown solid form. Batting at number one comes with a different kind of responsibility. After the powerplay, once the first six overs are done, his role is often to stabilise the innings and take the game forward in a controlled manner. That could be one reason why he isn’t always aggressively attacking the ball – he’s a very calculating player.

It also feels like he may be carrying a bit of pressure, especially when the team isn’t doing well. As a senior player, that responsibility naturally falls on him, and he might be putting in extra effort with the mindset of needing to win. But every player handles situations differently, and fluctuations in performance are normal. There are players who excel one season and struggle the next – consistency varies from individual to individual.

When you look at players like Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, they also have that adaptable, composed style that works across formats. Rahane belongs in that category of players who rely on a thoughtful, measured approach. He understands his role and responsibility. The way he has been batting suggests he is doing what’s expected from a top-order batter after the powerplay. Of course, other players in the team have different roles—especially the power hitters. KKR rely on players like Rovman Powell to accelerate the scoring and take the game forward aggressively. In the end, it’s about balance within the team, and Rahane’s approach fits into that structure.

Do you think KKR is underutilising Rinku Singh by sending him too low in the batting order?

Pandit: See, ultimately, strategy plays a major role in everything that happens on the field. It’s all about how well you understand your players and how effectively you utilise their abilities. If you look at the last game, the way Rinku Singh batted was outstanding. Had he not been there, KKR might have found themselves in a very difficult situation. That’s the role he has generally been assigned—to bat at number five or six and finish games. However, depending on the situation, the coaches might consider promoting him up the order. The match scenario is always the most important factor—how to take the game forward and which players are best suited to deliver in that moment. These are the small but crucial decisions that teams need to identify quickly and act upon—using the right players in the right position. And Rinku has consistently shown, time and again, that he has the ability and temperament to perform in such situations.

How do you see the transformation of Rajat Patidar in T20 cricket?

Pandit: Rajat is a quality player, and everyone is aware of his abilities. What makes him special is that his talent is not limited to just one format—it extends from the Ranji Trophy to T20 cricket. While most people have seen him more in the T20 format, many also admire his performances in domestic multi-day cricket like the Ranji Trophy.

He possesses distinct qualities as a batter. Having watched him over the last five to six years, one can see his fearless approach at the crease. Another key strength is his ability to judge line and length very quickly, which contributes significantly to his success. Rajat has the capability to dominate any bowler, and that is a rare and valuable trait. Even in red-ball cricket, his approach remains consistent. Although he got the opportunity to represent India, he was unfortunate not to fully justify his talent at that level. However, his abilities are evident to everyone, especially in T20 cricket, where he reads bowlers quickly and plays without fear. Once he gets going, it becomes very difficult for the opposition to stop him. He has the ability to win matches single-handedly.

When I first joined Madhya Pradesh and saw him in the nets, I immediately felt that he had immense talent and deserved to play for the country—which he eventually did. In the last two IPL seasons, he has shown remarkable growth, both with the bat and as a leader. He carried that confidence into the T20 format, where Bangalore won the trophy under his captaincy. Of course, he has received valuable guidance from experienced coaches and support staff, which has helped him grow further. Being surrounded by accomplished players has also contributed to his development and confidence.

Overall, Rajat Patidar is a complete package as a player. He has the ability to perform in any format and for any team. Additionally, he has now developed strong leadership skills, which we are already witnessing on the field.

Before RCB, you made him captain of Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. What was your conversation with him like? Was he already eyeing the RCB captaincy?

Pandit: We initially had a different captain for Madhya Pradesh, but after observing his performances in the previous T20 season and his overall approach to the format, I felt he was the right choice to lead the team forward. What stands out most about him is his calm and composed nature. He remains unfazed in any situation – whether he is scoring zero or making a hundred or even a double century, his behaviour and attitude remain consistent. He is grounded, down-to-earth, and maintains a cool demeanour at all times. These are essential qualities for a leader. As you may have noticed on the field, he doesn’t overreact; instead, he stays focused and consistently motivates his team-mates. He also holds his colleagues accountable and doesn’t let standards slip easily, which makes him a strong and reliable leader.

Do you think he should play for India again in T20s or other formats?

Pandit: Yes, of course. But the only thing, see, definitely he has got the quality and he should be playing. I mean, on these performances where he is now scoring runs in T20, the way he has been batting—it’s not only about scoring but the way he is batting, the way he is dominating. Obviously, he should get the opportunity. But at the same time, consistency is very important for him. Because whichever format you play, consistency has to be there. Unfortunately, in T20 this season in domestic cricket, he didn’t get that kind of form which we all expected.

Young Vaibhav Suryavanshi has impressed everyone with his performances. Do you think it’s the right time to bring him into the Indian team?

Pandit: In my view, age isn’t the most important factor. What really matters is form –how well a batter or bowler is performing and how consistently they are delivering. I’m sure the selection committee is already thinking along these lines. It’s not just about what we say from the outside; they have to plan both for the present and the future of Indian cricket.

With a young talent like him, the key questions are when to give him opportunities, when to hold back, and against which teams he should be introduced. The aim is to nurture him properly. The selectors will certainly be considering all of this carefully. But looking at the way he is batting, it’s truly impressive. His talent and fearless approach stand out.

I first noticed him during last season’s domestic Ranji Trophy matches. In one game against Bihar in Madhya Pradesh, the way he confidently attacked from the very first ball showed his mindset. Whether it’s red-ball or white-ball cricket, his ability is remarkable. He has the potential to single-handedly win matches once he gets going.

Players like this are rare, and when they come along, everyone—from selectors to team-mates—takes notice. I believe the time is right to give him an opportunity. However, it’s equally important to give him enough space and time to settle in, because international cricket is a different challenge and can bring pressure, especially for a young player. That said, from the way he has been performing, even against top international bowlers, he doesn’t seem fazed. His approach reflects confidence and fearlessness, which is a great sign for the future.

Shreyas Iyer has performed consistently well. Do you think he was unfortunate to miss out on the T20 World Cup squad?

Pandit: Shreyas has been part of the Indian team and has delivered strong performances. Unfortunately, he was left out, but situations like this are not uncommon. When building a team, there is always the challenge of balancing experience with the need to groom new talent. With the depth of talent available, it becomes difficult to provide opportunities to every deserving player.

There is always competition, and often, equally capable replacements are available. That said, Shreyas has been leading Punjab impressively, and his batting reflects noticeable maturity. He plays with a fearless mindset, focusing less on the situation and more on winning the game, which is evident in the way he constructs his innings.

It would be great to see him get another opportunity. Missing out on the World Cup is disappointing, but such decisions come with the responsibility of the selection committee, and it’s not something that can simply be criticised. In the past, we have seen similar cases, like Padmakar Shivalkar, who performed exceptionally in domestic cricket but couldn’t make it to the national side due to the presence of Bishan Singh Bedi.

These situations are part of the game, and Shreyas seems to understand that well. His current form and determination show that he is focused on making a comeback rather than dwelling on being left out. His performances indicate that he is serious about returning to the team, and that is the attitude he is showing.

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