Venkatesh Iyer becomes second KKR batter to score IPL hundred after Brendon McCullum
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Venkatesh Iyer smashed his maiden IPL ton against Mumbai Indians on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in the Indian Premier League 2023 season.
Iyer completed his ton off 49 deliveries, laced with six fours and nine mammoth sixes, guiding KKR to 185/6 in 20 overs.
“Feels great, coming to Mumbai and a game is always special. Getting a hundred is even more special. I think the boys will defend this total. I want to play for the team, I am not going to think about the 16th over when I am in the 6th over, just try to focus on the present moment, don’t want to think far too ahead,” he said post innings.
💯 for @venkateshiyer! 👏 👏
This has been a stunning knock ⚡️ ⚡️
He has overcome an injury to notch up his maiden IPL TON! 💪 💪
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/CcXVDhfzmi#TATAIPL | #MIvKKR | @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/BiNC0gDDbJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2023
“The cutters and slower balls are gripping, so we will look to exploit the conditions. Wickets will be key, if we get early wickets in the powerplay, we can put pressure on their middle order. I just go out there and do what has been done. Abhishek Nayar has been working with me, improving me not only as a player, but also personality-wise,” he added.
The left-hander became only the second player in the hory of the franchise to score a ton after Brendon McCullum’s 158 not out in the inaugural game of the league back in 2008.
Despite starting well in the powerplay, scoring 57 runs, KKR struggled in the middle overs against the spin duo of Piyush Chawla and Hrithik Shokeen.
After losing a bit of momentum in the middle overs, Andre Russell gave the finishing touches in the final overs for the visitors. Duan Jansen making his debut gave away 53 runs from his four overs quota.
For MI, Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun made his IPL debut and bowled two overs in the game while Suryakumar Yadav led the side as Rohit Sharma missed out owing to a stomach bug.
