Venkatesh Iyer, KKR’s opener has so far scored 193 runs in five games for KKR in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) success in the UAE leg of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 has coincided with young opener Venkatesh Iyer’s rise as a batsman.
After languishing at the bottom of the points table in the India leg of the IPL, KKR has made a turnaround by winning three games among the first five games in the UAE leg. Venkatesh Iyer has contributed heavily at the top of the order scoring 41, 53, 18, 14, and 67. KKR won against RCB, MI and DC and lost against CSK and PBKS.
Venkatesh Iyer Will Get 12-14 Crores At IPL 2022 Auctions: Sanjay Manjrekar
The southpaw’s fiery starts upfront has given KKR’s middle-order batsmen a license to explode at the fag end of the innings. Venkatesh Iyer’s hitting from one end has also given his other opening partner Shubman Gill the confidence to bat freely at the other end. The youngster’s inclusion in the team has charged the team up as they hope to qualify for the playoffs.
Venkatesh Iyer’s latest knock of 67 runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS) yet again laid the foundation for the team. Although KKR lost the match by five wickets, the southpaw’s batting was lauded by all. Cricketer-turned-expert Sanjay Manjrekar lavished praise on Venkatesh Iyer and feels he can easily go for 12-14 crores in the auction.
“I am thinking Venkatesh Iyer will get 12 to 14 crores because this is not kind of fluke show. I was looking at his First-class numbers and his List A record is outstanding. His average is 47 strikes at 92, 93, and his T20 record domestic not IPL is also fantastic. There again strike rate is pretty high the average is 37.”
“This is a guy who knows how to bat. First-class batting average of 36 plus he is a bowler. And in the last match, he showed that he can bowl the tough overs too. So he is somebody that is going to fetch a high price,” Manjrekar said according to ESPN Cricinfo.
After Venkatesh Iyer’s blistering knock of 67 runs, KKR innings flopped as their middle-order batters failed to get going. Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthick, and Tim Seifert scored 2, 11, and 2 respectively as KKR could post only 165.
KL Rahul Scores 67 As Punjab Kings Chased Down KKR’s Total
PBKS chased down the target with relative ease with skipper KL Rahul leading the charge with a well-made 67 runs.
KKR made two changes to their team, bringing in Tim Seifert and Shivam Mavi in place of Lockie Ferguson and Shivam Mavi while PBKS, who elected to bowl, brought in Mayank Agarwal, Fabian Allen and Shahrukh Khan, replacing Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle and Harpreet Brar.
Mayank Agarwal made a quickfire 40 after an early reprieve, while opener KL Rahul anchored the 166 chase with a 55-ball 67. Shahrukh Khan applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 22 off nine balls. After Venkatesh Iyer fell for a 49-ball 67 in the 15th over, Kolkata Knight Riders could make only 45 runs in 5.2 overs, finishing well short of a total near about 180 that they were on course to achieve.
Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 168/5 (KL Rahul 67, Mayank Agarwal 40; Varun Chakaravarthy 2/24) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 165/7 (Venkatesh Iyer 67, Rahul Tripathi 34; Arshdeep Singh 3/32) by 5 wickets.