Venkatesh Iyer has recently recalled his journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he has played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
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Young India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has recently recalled his journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he has played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, he went unsold twice at the IPL 2021 auction before being picked in the final round only.
Notably, Iyer was one of the key players of KKR’s turnaround in IPL 2021, smashing 370 runs in 10 matches which came at a strike rate of 128.47. He made his debut in the UAE phase of the league when the KKR was standing in the bottom half of the points table after the first phase. But they returned well and ended up as runners-up.
In an interaction on chat show Backstage with Boria, he revealed that having a good Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy helped him to be in the limelight. He, however, admitted that it was a nerve-wracking auction for him as well.
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He said: “Huge thanks to KKR. Had it not been for KKR, I wouldn’t have been anywhere. I had a decent Mushtaq Ali last year – a few good scores and one particular innings where I finished the game for my side. With these knocks coming in, KKR scouted me and they picked me in the auction. It was down to the wire in the auction. I was unsold twice and then picked by KKR in the final round.”
Venkatesh Iyer had scored 227 runs in five games for Madhya Pradesh which came at a strike rate of 149.34 during the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. And, he thanked KKR for making him feel a part of the setup even though he did not play any games in the first phase.
He added: “Once I was in KKR, there was a point where I felt like I was somewhere, I am doing something correct in my life. Then the first phase happened and I did not get my opportunity. But, thanks to KKR for believing in me and making me understand that even though I am not playing, I am there in the mix. They did not ignore me altogether or any player for that matter. They always kept pushing me that I’ll play, and when I play, I am going to do well.”
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Venkatesh Iyer further expressed: “That spirit that KKR showed brought out the best in me. It would be very wrong if I say that it was me who did that. It was the team that made me do it, which is something I would like to cherish. We were not where we wanted to be at the end of the first leg in India. But then came UAE and what happened was a story that can be told even 20-30 years later. It was a really special journey.”
However, KKR took on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2021 final. While chasing 193, they lost by 27 runs despite the fifties from him and Shubman Gill as well. Notably, Venkatesh Iyer earned his maiden India call-up for his stunning IPL season.
