The buzz in Indian cricket circles refuses to settle down. Reports of a supposed rift between Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill have been swirling ever since whispers of “favoritism” linked to Gautam Gambhir began dominating social media chatter. What was initially dismissed as locker-room gossip has now grown into a talking point about how narratives in cricket are shaped—and who gets the credit when a team succeeds.
The Rumoured Rift
Both Iyer and Gill are established young stars of Indian cricket. Shreyas Iyer, who has captained both India and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is known for his tactical sharpness and composed batting. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, has emerged as India’s premier young opener and recently captained Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
The alleged tension stems from perceptions of how their contributions are weighed differently, particularly in the IPL arena. Gill, despite being a consistent performer, is said to feel overshadowed by the narrative machinery that quickly amplified Gambhir’s return as KKR’s “saviour” when the franchise clinched the 2024 title under Iyer’s captaincy.
Gambhir and the PR Factor
Gautam Gambhir’s aura in Kolkata is undeniable. Twice an IPL-winning captain with KKR, his return as a mentor in 2024 was hailed as a masterstroke. But critics argue that the post-title coverage tilted disproportionately towards Gambhir, sidelining Iyer’s leadership.
“When KKR won, PR ran in such a way attributing the success to Gambhir,” is a sentiment echoed in many circles. Iyer’s role as a calm, composed skipper, his field placements, and his ability to extract performances from young players were scarcely highlighted compared to Gambhir’s so-called “tactical genius.”
This imbalance, according to insiders, may have sparked an undercurrent of unease—not only for Iyer but also for other young leaders like Gill, who fear that no matter their effort, certain figures command the lion’s share of spotlight.
Gill vs. Iyer: More Perception Than Reality?
It is crucial to note that there has been no direct evidence of a personal “fight” between Iyer and Gill. What exists is more a perception battle, where the media and PR engines play a bigger role than the players themselves. Gill, who is carving his own legacy, may feel that the system often sidelines players’ individual brilliance when larger personalities are involved.
Iyer, meanwhile, is in a delicate space—he won the title for KKR but had to endure stories suggesting it was Gambhir’s presence that made the real difference. Such narratives can be demoralising for captains striving to build their own stature.
Who Gets the Credit?
This controversy goes beyond two players or one mentor. It reflects a larger problem in Indian cricket—how perception, media coverage, and PR influence legacies. A player may do the hard yards, but the headlines often glorify the more “marketable” figure.
For now, both Gill and Iyer remain central to India’s cricketing future. Yet, the way stories are spun around their performances—and who gets the credit—will likely shape how fans perceive their contributions.
