New Captaincy Choice Of RCB Will Send A Shockwave Among Fans: Dynamic middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer is set to enter the upcoming mega-auction for IPL 2022, claimed a report in Times Of India. Shreyas Iyer, who was released from Delhi Capitals after the franchise decided to retain Rishabh Pant as the captain, was reportedly in talks with the two new franchises – Ahmedabad and Lucknow – and was expected to lead one of them.
However, the developments between Iyer and the two new franchises seem to have come to a halt. A TOI report stated that Iyer was not offered captaincy by both Lucknow and Ahmedabad and hence decided to enter himself in the mega-auction.
This has given a boost to the Royal Challengers Bangalore who are on the lookout for a new captain following Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as RCB’s skipper after last season.
A source in the know of developments told TOI that RCB are eyeing Shreyas Iyer as their new captain and would “bid aggressively” for the 27-year-old at the mega auction.
“Post Virat Kohli quitting the RCB captaincy, RCB are really interested in having Iyer as their next captain. Expect them to bid aggressively for the Mumbaikar in next month’s auction in Bangalore,” stated the source.
However, two more franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, are also on the hunt for a new leader after releasing Eoin Morgan and KL Rahul, respectively. This means that there will be a multi-team bidding war for the Mumbai-born batsman
“The Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are also expected to eye him in the auction,” added the source.
Shreyas Iyer led Delhi to their maiden IPL final in 2020 when they lost to Mumbai Indians at the last hurdle. However, he couldn’t start the IPL 2021 due to a shoulder injury and Rishabh Pant was made the new captain.
Even when Iyer returned for the second half of the season, the Capitals decided to stick with Pant who led the side to the playoffs but couldn’t make it to the final this time. Iyer, with an ambition of leading in the IPL – and India in the future – left the Capitals who remained firm with Pant as their figurehead.
The right-hander has played 87 innings in the IPL, scoring 2375 runs at an average of 31 with a strike rate of 123.
Also, it has been learned that KL Rahul will be leading Lucknow while Hardik Pandya, who was released from Mumbai Indians, is set to be the captain of Ahmedabad.
The mega auction of the IPL is going to take place in Bangalore on February 12 and 13.
