India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer grabbed attention during the IPL 2025 auction when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent a massive INR 23.75 crore to bring him back into the squad. Despite securing a lucrative contract, Iyer has shared his intention to pursue further studies alongside his cricket career.
In an interview with The Indian Express, the KKR star explained that although he comes from a traditional family, his parents have always encouraged him to excel in both cricket and academics. While acknowledging the wealth and fame cricket brings, Iyer emphasized that education is key to long-term success in life.
“If a new guy walks into the MP (Madhya Pradesh) team, the first thing I ask him is ‘padhai kar rahe ho ki nahi?’ (are you studying or not?). Education will stay with you till you die, a cricketer cannot play till 60. You have to understand that there is a shelf life. After that, if you want to really excel in life, you have to be educated,” he said.
Iyer spoke about how academics benefit both his personal life and his performance on the field, adding that it provides him with the ideal ‘switch-off’ from cricket.
“Academics can give me the perfect switch-off from the game. I don’t want to be thinking of the game all the time, it adds pressure. If I can do two things at the same time, I will.”
“ Being an educated person, it helps me make better decisions on the field as well. There will be a situation when it won’t be just about the skill but whether you can make a better decision,” the KKR star said.
Venkatesh Iyer emphasized the importance of education and encouraged other cricketers to broaden their knowledge beyond just cricket.
“I want cricketers to educate themselves not just with cricketing knowledge, but general knowledge as well. If you can complete your graduation or post-graduation, you definitely should,” the 29-year-old stated.
He humorously mentioned that he is pursuing his PhD and should be referred to as ‘Dr. Venkatesh Iyer’ the next time he is interviewed.
“I am pursuing my PhD (finance) now. You will be interviewing me as Dr Venkatesh Iyer next time!” he said.
Venkatesh Iyer will be under pressure to perform for KKR in IPL 2025
Having been re-signed for over INR 23 crore, the star all-rounder will have a significant responsibility to help KKR in the upcoming season as the defending champions aim for their fourth IPL title. In the same interview, Iyer recalled a special moment from last season when Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan praised him after the final.
“After the (2024 IPL) final, my mother had come onto the ground and Shah Rukh sir met her and praised me, saying, ‘he’s a very good child’. the happiness I saw in my mother’s eyes, I really cannot forget that moment,” he said.
Venkatesh played a key role in KKR’s 2024 title win, scoring 370 runs from 13 innings at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79, including four half-centuries. He will be expected to improve on his performance in the upcoming season, if not at least match his previous achievements.
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