Kolkata Knight Riders have again sparked debate among supporters by leaving Shreyas Iyer out of a social media tribute marking the second anniversary of the franchise’s third IPL title. The post came as KKR highlighted the squad that delivered the trophy in 2024, yet the former captain was missing from the graphics.
Quick facts
- KKR shared social media posts marking the second anniversary of their 2024 IPL title win.
- Shreyas Iyer was not included in the trophy celebration graphics.
- KKR won the IPL 2024 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 26, 2024.
- In the mega auction, Punjab Kings signed Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore.
- KKR’s 2026 season under Ajinkya Rahane saw six wins in 14 matches and no playoff qualification.
Iyer’s absence has remained a recurring talking point for KKR followers ever since the franchise released him, despite his role in ending a decade-long drought by leading the team to their first IPL crown in 10 years in 2024. The situation only gained more attention after Punjab Kings secured him for INR 26.75 crore at the mega auction.
Last year, Iyer also spoke about his time with KKR, saying he felt he did not receive sufficient credit for the side’s title-winning run. That sentiment has continued to resonate with fans, particularly when KKR posts anniversary content that spotlights the 2024 squad.
May 26, 2024: KKR’s title moment arrived on May 26, 2024, when they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL final to lift the trophy for the third time. On Tuesday, KKR marked the second anniversary of that success by sharing graphics on social media featuring players from the championship group.
The main image showed Andre Russell holding the IPL trophy, while separate posts focused on key performances from KKR in the final. However, Iyer did not appear anywhere in the celebratory set of posts, prompting immediate notice from sections of the audience.
Supporters took to social media to criticise the omission. One user wrote sarcastically about the “dedication” of the KKR administration to consistently exclude Shreyas Iyer from trophy-related posts, implying it had become a repeated pattern.
Another fan posted that the routine on May 26 each year seemed to involve removing Iyer from KKR’s celebration pictures. A separate comment, seemingly from a KKR supporter, argued that the franchise should not have handled the situation “dirty” despite the differences, adding that Iyer had won the title as skipper.
Fresh heat over an old grievance
This criticism is not new for KKR. Since 2025, some supporters have repeatedly accused the franchise of not acknowledging Iyer’s contribution enough in the run-up to the IPL 2024 title.
While the debate continues around his legacy, KKR’s recent form has also drawn attention. The franchise endured a disappointing IPL 2026 season under Ajinkya Rahane, winning only six matches out of 14 and missing out on the playoffs.
KKR also endured a tough stretch of six straight defeats during the campaign. They later stayed in the hunt for a postseason berth until their final league match, but the results ultimately fell short.
Iyer’s departure from KKR before the 2025 mega auction surprised many followers, particularly given the impact he had as captain during the title-winning year. The ongoing online reaction suggests that, even after the franchise moved on, parts of the fan base remain focused on how the 2024 success is being remembered.
The franchise’s latest anniversary post has once again placed the spotlight on the same question: how KKR chooses to celebrate the players who delivered the trophy. For now, Iyer’s exclusion continues to fuel discussion across social media as IPL conversation rolls on to the next stages of the league.
