KKR vs SRH IPL 2024: Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Phil Salt - Who will play against SRH? Shreyas Iyer Reveals

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer says the team has strength from 'Top to Bottom' ahead of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday (March 23).

KKR are up against SRH in the opening match and a lot is expected of them. The Knight Riders haven't qualified for the playoffs in the last two seasons and it will be a monumental season for them.

Ahead of the match, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer was at the pre-match press conference in Kolkata where he was asked about the X-Factor in the KKR team. And the Knights captain says that the whole team has the ability to be the X-Factor and they have strength from 'Top to Bottom'.

"Can't point a single person, last year it was Rinku Singh. According to me, all individuals will be hoping to contribute. We have strength from Top to Bottom and the biggest strength is the team spirit and camaraderie that we have in the team," Iyer said on Friday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz had a decent season for KKR last season but he has competition this season as the Knights roped in Phil Salt. The English batter has arrived at KKR as a replacement for Jason Roy. Although either of the two can play on Saturday, Iyer says they will only take the decision after a discussion.

"Both are great batters. They play T20 across the world and their performances are superb. We haven't played who will play tomorrow and we will discuss it. Eventually, we will be looking for the combination and decide according to that," he added.

Iyer returns to the IPL fold after a one-year hiatus. The 29-year-old missed out on IPL 2023 due to a back injury and he has only one thing in mind now, that is to win the trophy.

"I am looking forward to winning the IPL. If you look forward too much into the past or future, you make mistakes. I try to be in the present, that's what I have learnt," Iyer further said.

Iyer will lead KKR at the Eden Gardens for the first time in his career. In IPL 2022, Shreyas captained Kolkata when the Knights finished 7th in the points table.