Venkatesh Iyer is compared to AB de Villiers by the legendary member of the English national team, Kevin Pietersen. He said: “When I saw him in Dubai, I thought “This guy has some star quality”. After Venkatesh Iyer’s century for the KKR in IPL 2023, a renowned English cricketer compared him to AB de Villiers.
At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for IPL 2023 Match 22, Venkatesh Iyer was in excellent form against the Mumbai Indians. Hitting no. 3, Iyer slammed 51 balls for 104 runs that included nine sixes and six fours.
He reached his ton in 49 balls and the subsequent collapse of fans and experts. Since Brendon McCullum hit a century against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008 and this was also Kolkata Knight Riders’ first century in the IPL.
Venkatesh Iyer of the Kolkata Knight Riders celebrates his century. In the matchup against MI, only Iyer and three other players managed to score more than 10 runs for KKR. In the end, KKR scored 185/6 off 20 overs.
Venkatesh Iyer has been in a sublime form in the IPL 2023
England legend Kevin Pietersen praised Iyer’s stroke play and gushed about him on Star Sports. He grabbed everyone’s attention during the second leg of the IPL 2021. Which was played in the UAE as the former RCB player also recalled to the audience.
Iyer is a tall man and because of his height, he stands atop the bounce. Iyer also played off the back foot which I found to be very impressive and he also avoided being slowed down by the spinners. He referred to him as a 360 player.
He has no problem playing everywhere on the ground. We first encountered him in the IPL in Dubai. Where he captivated the crowd with a few pull shots and drives.
Iyer holds the lead in the Orange Cap race with 234 runs in five games at an average of 46.80 and a 170.80 strike rate. Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of the Punjab Kings was passed by him.
Dhawan scored 233 runs in four games with a strike rate of 146.54 and an average of 116. In 10 games for KKR during the IPL 2021, Iyer scored 370 runs.
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