Kolkata Knight Riders fans criticized the franchise after a social media post celebrating the second anniversary of the 2024 IPL title omitted captain Shreyas Iyer [1, 2].
The exclusion is significant because Iyer led the team to the championship. Fans said the omission was a lack of respect for the captain's role in the team's success [1, 2].
The franchise shared an image on its official Instagram and Twitter channels to mark the anniversary of the 2024 victory [2]. However, the post did not include any photographs of Iyer, who served as the captain during that title run [1, 2].
Supporters noticed the absence and took to social media to express their frustration. One fan wrote on Twitter, "Itna mat giro," which translates to "don’t get so low" [1, 2]. The comment reflected a broader sentiment among the fanbase that the team was disregarding its own leadership in a public forum [1].
Critics said a celebratory post for a championship victory should naturally include the player who captained the side to that win [2]. The backlash highlighted a perceived disconnect between the franchise's digital branding and the on-field contributions of its players [1, 2].
This incident follows a pattern of intense scrutiny regarding how the Kolkata Knight Riders manage player relations and public image [1]. The franchise has not issued a formal response to the specific complaints regarding the missing imagery in the anniversary post [2].
“"Itna mat giro" (don’t get so low)”
This controversy underscores the volatile relationship between sports franchises and their fanbases in the digital age. When a team's social media presence appears to erase or diminish the contributions of a key leader, it can trigger perceptions of internal strife or a lack of organizational gratitude, potentially impacting player morale and fan loyalty.
