Shreyas Iyer Left Out Again As KKR Celebrate IPL Win, Fans React – KKR’s IPL 2024 Win Anniversary: Why Was Shreyas Iyer Snubbed Again?

On May 26, 2026, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) marked a significant date on their calendar: the second anniversary of their monumental triumph in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It was on this very day two years prior that KKR ended a decade-long wait, securing their third IPL title under the dynamic captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. The victory was a moment of immense jubilation for the franchise and its legions of fans, culminating in a dominant performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final.

The Glorious IPL 2024 Triumph: A Detailed Look Back

The IPL 2024 final, held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, saw a formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad side enter the contest as strong favorites, having played a dominating season leading up to the summit clash. Their aggressive brand of cricket had earned them widespread acclaim and intimidated many opponents throughout the tournament.

However, Shreyas Iyer and his KKR contingent arrived with a meticulously crafted plan, and their bowlers executed it to perfection. The tone was set early by the formidable Australian left-arm pacer, Mitchell Starc, who delivered an absolute peach of a ball to clean bowl SRH opener Abhishek Sharma for a mere 2 runs. This early breakthrough sent a clear message to the Sunrisers and ignited KKR’s charge.

The KKR bowling attack continued to dismantle the SRH lineup with precision and relentless pressure. Bowlers like Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Sunil Narine complemented Starc’s brilliance, restricting a usually free-scoring SRH side to a paltry total of just 113 runs. Pat Cummins, the SRH captain, top-scored with 24, while Aiden Markram contributed 20, but these efforts were insufficient against KKR’s determined assault.

Chasing a modest target, KKR demonstrated their batting prowess with equal measure of confidence and aggression. Venkatesh Iyer led the charge with a scintillating unbeaten knock of 52 runs, ensuring a swift and decisive victory. KKR chased down the target with 8 wickets in hand and ample overs to spare, sealing their third IPL championship. Mitchell Starc was deservedly named the Player of the Match for his exceptional spell of 2 for 14, highlighting his impact in the crucial final. This victory solidified KKR’s place in IPL history, adding another trophy to their cabinet alongside their 2012 and 2014 triumphs.

The Unfolding Controversy: Shreyas Iyer’s Departure and the Credit Debate

Despite leading KKR to such a significant title, a surprising turn of events saw Shreyas Iyer released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Reports circulating at the time suggested an underlying friction between Iyer and the KKR management, hinting at unresolved issues behind the scenes. Following his release, Iyer found a new home with Punjab Kings (PBKS), who secured his services for a hefty INR 26.75 crore in the auction.

The narrative didn’t end there. Shreyas Iyer himself later voiced his sentiments publicly, suggesting that he felt he hadn’t received adequate credit for captaining KKR to the IPL 2024 title. Much of the accolades and attention, he noted, had seemingly gravitated towards mentor Gautam Gambhir, who has since gone on to become India’s head coach. Young players within the KKR squad and the wider cricketing fraternity often credited Gambhir for orchestrating the team’s turnaround and instilling a winning mentality, potentially overshadowing Iyer’s on-field leadership and execution.

Since his move, Iyer has continued to demonstrate his leadership capabilities and batting prowess. He successfully guided the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, showcasing his ability to lead from the front. Furthermore, he enjoyed a fantastic start to the IPL 2026 season, leading PBKS to six wins out of their first seven league games, reaffirming his status as a top-tier captain and player.

A Consistent Pattern: The IPL 2024 Celebration Snubs (2025 & 2026)

The first instance of this perceived slight occurred on May 26, 2025, the first anniversary of KKR’s IPL 2024 victory. On that day, the Kolkata Knight Riders shared a series of creative posts across their social media platforms to celebrate the milestone. However, observant fans quickly noticed that Shreyas Iyer was conspicuously absent from these commemorative photos and posters. Furthermore, he received no mention or credit in the accompanying captions, a detail that did not go unnoticed by the cricketing community.

Fast forward to May 26, 2026, and a similar scenario unfolded. KKR once again took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share special posts honoring the two-year anniversary of their IPL 2024 triumph. And, for the second year in a row, Shreyas Iyer was notably missing from these digital celebrations. While other posts highlighted the performance statistics of various KKR players from the IPL 2024 final, and the main celebratory post prominently featured Andre Russell holding the coveted trophy aloft, there was still no visual or textual acknowledgment of the captain who led them to glory.

Fan Reactions and Public Scrutiny: “Downright Hilarious and Cunning”

The repeated omission of Shreyas Iyer from KKR’s social media celebrations of their IPL 2024 title victory did not sit well with fans. Almost immediately, social media platforms buzzed with reactions from followers who were quick to chastise the team for what many perceived as a deliberate and “cunning approach” to rewriting history.

Many fans voiced their disappointment, arguing that regardless of any internal disputes or subsequent departures, the captain who lifted the trophy deserves due recognition for his efforts and leadership. The sentiment was clear: to ignore the captain in celebrations of a title won under his leadership seemed petty and disrespectful to his contribution. This ongoing saga has sparked a wider conversation among cricket enthusiasts about how franchises acknowledge and honor the contributions of players, especially those who played pivotal roles in their success, even after their tenure with the team concludes.

From an objective standpoint, KKR’s consistent decision not to recognize Iyer’s contribution to their IPL 2024 win, which made them three-time champions of the Indian Premier League, appears both surprising and somewhat counterproductive. Iyer had openly shared his feelings about the disparity in credit received, noting how several other players, the head coach, and the mentor seemed to garner more attention, despite him being the one on the ground executing the plans and leading the team.

While internal dynamics are often complex and not fully visible to the public, it stands to reason that KKR, as the larger and more established entity, could choose a more magnanimous approach. Acknowledging Shreyas Iyer’s efforts in their IPL 2024 victory and perhaps bringing things to a positive closure would not only be a gesture of goodwill but also reflect well on the franchise’s public image. Continuing with such conspicuous omissions for two consecutive years risks being seen as overly petty, potentially alienating a segment of their fanbase and overshadowing the very celebrations they aim to promote.