Venkatesh Iyer put an end to KKR’s 15-year scoring drought. When he scored 104 against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023 Match 22 at the Wankhede Stadium.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Venkatesh Iyer became just the second member of the team to score a century.
Venkatesh Iyer broke KKR’s 15-year scoring drought against Mumbai Indians in IPL Match 22 at the Wankhede Stadium with 104 runs.
The final century for the team in the IPL was scored by former KKR opener and coach Brendon McCullum in the first-ever match of the inaugural IPL in 2008, scoring 158 unbeaten.
Flamboyant batter Venkatesh Iyer received a lot of flak for struggling in the IPL 2022. The all-rounder was never again given consideration for the Indian team. That raised many questions about Kolkata Knight Riders’ motivations in keeping him on staff instead of Shubman Gill.
Iyer, however, is once again at the top of his game in the new season, scoring a scorching century against the Mumbai Indians at the venerable Wankhede Stadium.
Notably, the Southpaw suffered a severe knee injury and was in agony. He nevertheless continued to play while taking a painkiller, scoring the first century in tournament history. The cricketer from Indore scored his century in just 49 deliveries, leaving the Mumbai bowlers baffled.
The 28-year-old made nine sixes and six boundaries during the process, and he was essential to the two-time champions’ success. Iyer took on the responsibility to deliver during the opening overs while others were having trouble getting going.
While Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, a stumper-batter, only managed to score eight runs off of 12 deliveries, opener Narayan Jagadeesan was unable to start his innings.
Things were not going well for the Knight Riders after Nitish Rana, who was in excellent form in the previous game, lost his wicket to Hrithik Shokeen. Iyer, despite leading KKR to a successful start in Mumbai despite their poor record. He kept his composure on a sunny day.
In contrast, Rinku Singh and Andre Russell were unexpectedly promoted before Shardul Thakur. The first ball he faced almost caused him to be out, but keeper Ishan Kishan was unable to catch it because Thakur was far ahead of his crease. By managing to score just 13 runs off of 11 deliveries, he ultimately failed to get going.
Venkatesh Iyer kept on wrecking the field, though, and provided KKR with the ideal opportunity to post a par total on the board. As KKR strives to earn their third victory of the current campaign, his performance will undoubtedly give him more confidence.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the scintillating knock of Venkatesh Iyer:
One man Army. 😎 Venkatesh Iyer.
RT #KKR fans.
#venkateshiyer #arjuntendulkar #MIvsKKR #IPL2023 @SRK_FC pic.twitter.com/DqFQLfz5Lu
— Faheem Baig (@FaheemBaig_83) April 16, 2023
Venkatesh Iyer 🔥 #KKRvMI pic.twitter.com/gwFJLYMctT
— siraj_popa (@sirajpopa69) April 16, 2023
Venkatesh Iyer 💜💥
— Sohail. (@iamsohail__1) April 16, 2023
Venkatesh Iyer 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥#KKRvMI #IPLonJioCinema #venkateshiyer pic.twitter.com/RhSZBy9aif
— Pawan Singh (@PawanSi67453895) April 16, 2023
100 for Venkatesh Iyer 👏🔥 pic.twitter.com/LFkd6yCCFx
— DU Girlsz (@mr_memer_king) April 16, 2023
Venkatesh Iyer is now the Orange Cap holder of IPL 2023. pic.twitter.com/jVbkPZBcdI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 16, 2023
18th April 2008: Brendon McCullum 158* (73)
16th April 2023: Venkatesh Iyer 100* (49)A 15-year wait ends 🥹💜@venkateshiyer | #MIvKKR | #AmiKKR | #TATAIPL 2023
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 16, 2023
This is such a wonderful demonstration from Venkatesh Iyer of how to put together a T20 innings. Kept going, got the big runs and even though he was losing partners, never eased up. Hit spin and pace both. In a small shortlist for the best innings this #TataIPL2023.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 16, 2023
Venkatesh Iyer has highest sixes in IPL 2023 so far💉 pic.twitter.com/e4cRIchyVM
— KKR Bhakt 🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRSince2011) April 16, 2023
Maiden IPL century ✅
Venkatesh Iyer loves playing against MI gets his first ever IPL 100, hopefully many more to come
VC – IPL/BCCI pic.twitter.com/VuoVVYun4j— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) April 16, 2023
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