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The Kolkata-based franchise decided to shell out a whopping Rs 23.75 Crore at the auction table to rope in the services of Venkatesh. The all-rounder, who has no experience of captaincy, opined that he was ready if push came to shove and that leadership was…Read More
Venkatesh Iyer. (X)
Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who was helped IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders to the coveted trophy in the last edition of the cash-rich tournament, stated that he would receive the captain’s armband with grace if it were to be handed to him by the team.
Venkatesh, who made his debut for KKR in 2021, was not named in the list of players retained by the Kolkata-based side but the franchise decided to shell out a whopping Rs 23.75 Crore at the auction table to rope in the services of the southpaw.
KKR are yet to announce who will fill in the void left by former skipper Shreyas Iyer after his move to Punjab Kings at the mega auction ahead of the upcoming season of the T20 franchise tournament.
Venkatesh, who has no experience of captaincy, opined that he was ready if push came to shove and that leadership was the true virtue of a skipper.
“Definitely, I’m ready,” Venkatesh said.
“Again, I’ve always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership,” he said.
“That is a bigger role to play, being a leader,” Venkatesh continued.
“There’s no ambiguity surrounding this. I’ll definitely do it, if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it,” he added.
Venkatesh also added that he looks to set a good example for youngsters to follow and serve as an ideal role model for those who look up to him in the dressing room.
“You don’t necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
“I’m not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected and I really love to be in an atmosphere where every individual — new or experienced, Rs 20 lakh, Rs 20 crore, whatever — you just need to have the freedom to voice your opinion,” the all-rounder continued.
“You just need to have the freedom to give opinions and give suggestions and them to be taken in the right spirit,” he concluded.
