Kolkata Knight Riders are playing brilliantly in the 17th season of IPL. The team won 9 out of 14 matches in the league stage and finished first in the points table with 20 points. The team has again reached the final by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in Qualifier-1. KKR will play the final match on 26 May against either Rajasthan Royals or Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Mentor Gautam Gambhir is being given all the credit for Kolkata’s excellent performance in this season of IPL. However, former Indian player Mohammad Kaif has given all the credit to captain Shreyas Iyer instead of Gambhir.

Shreyas Iyer has been there with the players- Mohammad Kaif

Cricket commentator Mohammad Kaif believes that Gautam Gambhir does not come to the field with the players, this work is done by captain Shreyas Iyer. Due to which the credit for the excellent performance of Kolkata Knight Riders should be given to the captain.

Mohammad Kaif, while talking to Hindustan Times, said, ‘We always talk about Gautam Gambhir, but he cannot get on the field with the players. Shreyas Iyer has been there with the players and this will help him grow as a person and a player.’

They are the team to beat in IPL – Kaif

Mohammad Kaif believes that KKR is a balanced team, and the team has excellent players in both departments. Talking further, Kaif said, ‘I think KKR is a very balanced team. A team that wins the tournament should have good bowlers, KKR have bowlers. You saw how (Mitchell) Starc bowled against SRH in Qualifier 1, it is a balanced team. KKR have covered all the bases in terms of batting and bowling. They are the team to beat in IPL, they are far ahead.