Kolkata Knight Riders’ Venkatesh Iyer made his return to the team count with a stunning 43 off 24 balls against Mumbai Indians on Monday, 9 May. Iyer returned to the top of the batting order on a day where Kolkata desperately needed a win to stay alive in the Indian Premier League. Iyer’s stroke-filled innings helped Kolkata to get up to a respectable total of 165 in their 20 overs.
IPL 2022: Full Coverage
Speaking after the game, the under-fire opener said that it felt good to be back in the KKR jersey and score some runs at the top.
“I was dropped for a couple of games. Coming back and opening the innings was good. The most important thing is we won. That’s what feels good. Irrespective of what you contribute, if the team wins, naturally you feel happy. It’s important to contribute to the team, whether I bowl or field or bat, you always want to contribute to the side irrespective of whatever skill you are trying to do,” Iyer said.
Iyer hit four sixes and three boundaries in his insides before getting out to Kumar Kartikeya in the sixth over.
KKR were fantastic in the second innings of the game, putting up a tremendous bowling performance led by Australian Test captain – Pat Cummins. KKR forced Mumbai into a downfall from 100/4 to 113-all-out in 17.3 overs.
“Fielding is something very important to me, so is bowling. Unfortunately I didn’t get a lot of overs, but whatever overs I get, I ensure I do the job that the captain wants me to do. Batting, I think it’s my job to go out there and give the team a good start. I’m happy I did that today,” Iyer said on contributions beyond his batting.
Defending his method of batting and his hit and miss form in the current season, Iyer said that his intent brings inconsistencies. “My intent is always positive and aggressive. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. But T20 cricket, you always have to maximize those first six overs. With the middle order we have, it’s very important for us to get a good start so they can contribute,” the tall left hander concluded.
Kolkata Knight Riders moved up to the seventh position in the points table with a huge NRR boost with their 52-run victory. KKR still have an off chance to make it to the playoffs stages, but will have to depend on other results, besides winning the rest of their games.
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