Shreyas Iyer, the dynamic batsman, is gearing up to lead the Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL 2025 season. However, before looking forward, he’s opened up about his surprising release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team he captained to victory in the previous season's IPL.

The move, which left many fans stunned, has been a hot topic of discussion. Iyer, who was a key player for the franchise, including leading them to their third IPL title, was brought in for a substantial INR 26.75 crore. In a recent interview, he addressed the situation, sharing his perspective on his departure from KKR.

Iyer's words reveal a mix of emotions. While he acknowledged the team's success, he also expressed a sense of unfulfilled appreciation. He said he didn't get the recognition he desired after winning the IPL for KKR.

"Frustration toh nahi tha (Frustration was not there) because I was playing IPL. The major focus was to win the IPL, and thankfully, I won it. I personally felt I didn't get the recognition I wanted to after winning the IPL but at the end of the day, as long as you have self integrity and you keep doing the right things when no one is watching, that is more important and that is what I kept doing,” Iyer stated.

He further elaborated on what 'recognition' meant to him, stating, "When I talk about recognition, it's about getting that respect. It was about the respect for whatever efforts I put on the field. I think sometimes it gets unnoticed but extremely satisfied with the efforts I put in because they weren't easy wickets to bat on."

Shifting the focus to his performance in the recent Champions Trophy, Iyer was a standout performer. He emerged as India's leading run-scorer with 243 runs, averaging an impressive 48.60. His performance included two half-centuries, with his highest score being 79 against New Zealand in a crucial group stage match. He also played a significant role in the final.

Here are some of Iyer's key contributions in the Champions Trophy:

• Leading run-scorer for India.
• 243 runs at an average of 48.60.
• Two half-centuries, including a score of 79.

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, fans and analysts will be keen to see how Shreyas Iyer leads the Punjab Kings, and whether he can repeat his success from last season.