IPL 2021: There is a lot of Yuvraj Singh in Venkatesh Iyer, says Parthiv Patel

Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel believes that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Venkatesh Iyer’s gameplay has shades of legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh. Venkatesh has been extremely impressive for the Kolkata-based franchise in the ongoing UAE leg of IPL 2021, helping the team remain unbeaten on the back of excellent performances. The all-rounder smashed his maiden half-century in the popular tournament on Thursday, leading KKR on to a rare win against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI).

“We do talk about a lot of boundaries. But the maturity that Venkatesh Iyer showed was superb. We are talking about someone who is not an India A player, someone who has not played international cricket. One of the great things about him, having seen him, he can not only open, he can bat from 1 to 9 and bowl as well. So he will have a great future. I think there is a lot of Yuvraj Singh in him. There is a lot of flow,” said Parthiv while interacting on Star Sports.

“The boy has got swag and talent”

Former England spinner Graeme Swann was further full of praise for Venkatesh, hailing him as a player who is very cool.

“He has got swag. Very cool, calm and collected. He doesn’t show a lot of emotions. First ball against Boult and Milne was hit for six. When the spinner come on, the helmet comes off. He is flicking that hair back. The boy has got swag and talent. I love the way he goes about his cricket. He is my Man of the Match,” stated Swann.

“Want the best for everybody in the changing room”

KKR skipper Eoin Morgan hailed his players following the triumph against MI.

“It is extremely pleasing. We want the best for everybody in the changing room, and the aggressive cricket that we have shown in the last two games is exactly what suits the talented guys in our changing room. I know some of them might feel alien to take risk after risk after risk, but that is what we want them to do. They’re a seriously talented batting and bowling line-up, and we want them to continue to get better,” said Morgan in the post-match press conference.

“There is a lot of preparation and strategies that go into the decisions made on the field. Obviously, when you’re on the field, you need to adjust to what is happening with the pitch and the conditions here at Abu Dhabi. We have had good games both with strategies and planning because the bowlers have executed unbelievably well. They have been in fine form and make the rest of our preparation look really good,” he added.

Morgan praised Venkatesh’s performances for the franchise, further hailing the gameplay of the bowling attack.

“I don’t think it is one player that’s changed the outlook of the team. I think the last two games, the superstars in our side have been the bowlers. They have been outstanding on really good wickets to bat on here in Abu Dhabi, and I think that allowed our opening pair in Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer to go out and play their natural game. I think Venkatesh played an innings that would match a guy who has played possibly 50 IPL games. The freedom with which he has played is quite imposing as a batsman at the top of the order to do that. He has continued on his form from the first day. But I don’t think it is one player; I think it is a collective effort. It is set up by our bowling line-up, which was magnificent again,” he concluded.