Last Updated: March 10, 2024, 22:26 IST
Venkatesh Iyer will eye one other productive season. (BCCI Photo)
Venkatesh Iyer had a formidable IPL 2023 as a specialist batter, amassing 404 runs at a strike charge of 145.85, with the spotlight being a 49-ball century towards Mumbai Indians.
Ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), allrounder Venkatesh Iyer stated he is excited to work below the mixture of coach Chandrakant Pandit and mentor Gautam Gambhir within the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) camp.
“Gautam sir coming back is going to be a huge plus for KKR. I’m really looking forward to working with him. Whatever conversations I’ve had with him in the past, he has always talked about creating an impact for the team’s goals rather than personal milestones.”
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“He is an amazing leader and I’m also excited to see the combination of him and Chandu sir (Chandrakant Pandit). Both are amazing tacticians and have the experience of winning trophies,” Venkatesh was quoted as saying by KKR.
After a lukewarm IPL 2022 season, Venkatesh had a formidable IPL 2023 as a specialist batter, amassing 404 runs as a quantity three and 4 spots at a strike-rate of 145.85, with the spotlight being a 49-ball century towards Mumbai Indians.
“It’s always exciting to be a part of KKR and I feel honoured and privileged to play for this amazing franchise. The ultimate goal is to win the trophy. We know we have it in us to win it so we’re looking forward to going out there and putting our best foot forward. I’m looking forward to contributing with both bat and ball, so let’s hope for the best,” added Venkatesh, who has performed two ODIs and 9 T20Is for India.
In the current Ranji Trophy season, Venkatesh had a good time with the bat for Madhya Pradesh, amassing 547 runs in eight matches, at a median of 45.58, together with a century and 4 fifties.
“It was amazing to represent Madhya Pradesh in the domestic season under Chandu sir (Chandrakant Pandit). This was my first full season after almost four years. We did well as a team and there are a lot of positives for me to pick up. Coming in the camp on the back of a Ranji Trophy has given me a sense of confidence in my skills both with bat and ball,” he stated.
In the Ranji Trophy matches, Venkatesh Iyer, related to KKR since IPL 2021, additionally picked eight scalps along with his medium-pace bowling, one thing which he didn’t do in IPL 2023 due to coming again within the recreation submit an ankle damage which sidelined him for a while.
“The domestic tournaments help build confidence of executing your best balls under pressure situations. I have got a lot of confidence in my skills and once you’re confident about your skills, then the execution part becomes easy.”
“Whenever the captain would want me to bowl an over or two, I’ll always be there. Shreyas has always had that confidence in me and he trusts that I can get the job done for the team in pressure situations,” he concluded.
KKR, the two-time IPL winners, will start its major pre-season camp in Kolkata forward of the 2024 version on March 15. Their IPL 2024 marketing campaign begins towards 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad at their house floor Eden Gardens on March 23.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – IANS)
