Kolkata Knight Riders' new skipper Shreyas Iyer called for the boys to stay together all the time over the next one month during the upcoming IPL.
"We need to care about each other as a team. (In a long tournament) there will be tough times, bad times and good times as well, so we need to support each other on the way," he stated during his first interaction with the side on joining the practice session after coming out of quarantine on Monday. "Let us create that formidable relationship on and off the field," he added.
Looking to build up a well-knit unit, Shreyas advised his teammates to keep focus on the job at hand. "We need to block outside influences as at the end of the day it will be us on the ground who will be supporting each other," he pointed out.
The middle-order batter expressed his faith in all his players saying he sees "leadership qualities in all". "Each one of you have been a match-winner in your own way - for KKR, for your international side as well as for your domestic teams," he remarked.
However, Shreyas felt the boys should enjoy themselves, but at the same time "we should challenge ourselves right from the practice sessions so that we don't have any regrets."
One of KKR's key player all-rounder Andre Russell also sent out warnings for his rivals ahead of the new season. "A lot has been said about me in the last few seasons. What I will do to silence those is to perform," he said.
The West Indies all-rounder promised that his mind is at the right place and he will do what he is best at "with the bat, ball and take a brilliant catch." "I will ensure to do whatever is necessary to take KKR over the line," he stated.
