Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Venkatesh Iyer drew praise from fans on social media after his match-winning knock against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season on Friday.
KKR won the match comprehensively by seven wickets in Bengaluru.
The Faf Du Plessis-led RCB posted a competitive total of 182/6 after batting first. Virat Kohli top-scored with an unbeaten 83 against the Shreyas Iyer-led KKR while Andre Rusell and Harshit Rana picked up two wickets each for the visitors.
KKR blazed away in the Powerplay with their opening pair of Sunil Narine (47) and Phil Salt (30) adding 82 runs. Narine fell of his well-deserved half-century by just three runs.
Venkatesh Iyer then came in at the number three position and continued the momentum and peeled off a match-winning knock. He looked in sublime touch, hitting three fours and four sixes. He got to his half-century in just 30 deliveries.
Venkatesh got out in the 16th over when KKR needed 16 runs to win the match.
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Skipper Iyer and Rinku Singh led the team to victory in the next over and they have now climbed up to the second position on the IPL 2024 points table.
KKR fans were impressed with Venkatesh’s knock.
“Well played, Venkatesh Iyer. He smashed 50 runs from 30 balls including 3 fours and 4 Sixes against RCB in this run chase – A Top Knock by Venkatesh Iyer,” wrote one person.
WELL PLAYED, VENKTESH IYER.He smashed 50 runs from 30 balls including 3 fours and 4 Sixes against RCB in this run chase – A Top Knock by Venkatesh Iyer. pic.twitter.com/zaizplljTK
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 29, 2024
“What an innings from Venkatesh Iyer, just casually hitting it all over the ground even with a back pain. So happy for him, KKR needed him back in form,” read another response.
what an innings from Venkatesh Iyer, just casually hitting it all over the ground even with a back pain. So happy for him, KKR needed him back in form ???????? pic.twitter.com/lktRWvPwvZ— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) March 29, 2024
“A stroll in the park for KKR. Venkatesh Iyer outstanding in the chase after Salt and Narine’s rapid start. If Alzarri plays one more game for them, they’re completely unserious,” wrote one social media user.
A stroll in the park for KKR. Venkatesh Iyer outstanding in the chase after Salt and Narine's rapid start. If Alzarri plays one more game for them, they're completely unserious.
— archith (@InswinginMenace) March 29, 2024
Here are some other reactions:
Venkatesh Iyer if he improves his spin game, and if KKR isn’t retaining him, he’ll be a good option for CSK in the mega auction, will never forget his debut against Mumbai Indians , thrashed Trent Boult and Bumrah for fun. Would love to see him in Yellow???? pic.twitter.com/BR0cuQQbSY— TravisBickle (@TravisbickleCSK) March 29, 2024
Madhya Pradesh Power. ????????Venkatesh Iyer, representing KKR, played a remarkable innings, showcasing his talent as a cricketer hailing from Indore, MP.#KKRvsRCB #KKRvRCB #IPL24 pic.twitter.com/ZaGKFjXPsz
— Maahira Ali ???? (@AliMaahira) March 29, 2024
Venkatesh said the pitch did get better to bat on as the game progressed.
“To be honest, it got better as the game went on, one end in particular, the Pavilion end and credit to Narine, the pressure was off and we had to go and finish the formalities,” Venkatesh said after the match.
“It was very important to capitalise on the platform laid, the left-arm spinner was bowling and it was my duty to go after the bowling. Also my fiancee is here and I would like to credit her,” he added.
KKR will next lock horns with Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 match on April 3.
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