‘CEO is also involved in team selections’

Shreyas Iyer

Too many cooks spoil the broth. This age old adage fits aptly on Kolkata Knight Riders, who are staring at early elimination from the 2022 season, after competing in title-clash last year. While they are still afloat after beating wooden-spooners Mumbai Indians by 52 runs, the post-match comments from captain Shreyas Iyer have certainly opened the pandora's box, raising questions if there is too much of interference from the management, especially long-standing CEO Venky Mysore. A testimony to KKR's problems has been the fact that 20 players have played in 12 games. There has not been a single game, where the playing XI has been retained, making the outfit look completely unsettled.

After the match against MI, Iyer was asked as to how players react to so much of chopping and changing, the skipper replied: "It is really difficult [to tell players about axing]. Coach and at times, CEO is also obviously involved in team selections. Every player takes it well, and they have put in their best efforts."

In isolation, it might look like an innocuous statement, but Iyer has indeed set the proverbial "cat amongst the pigeons" and even if he makes an official statement that his comments are being "taken out of context", he has inadvertently blurted out the worst-kept secret in IPL universe. And that is, none of the members of the think-tank is on same page which has led to an unstable team.

While Mysore refused to comment when asked if he interferes in selection matters, a source close to the KKR management said that Iyer's comments has been "misconstrued". "It is misconstrued. I don't think Venky has ever got involved in team selections. At times when CEO's opinion is sought, he might share some ideas," the source said.

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