Kolkata Knight Riders opening batter Venkatesh Iyer was delighted after his team beat Delhi Capitals by three wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday to book their place in the IPL 2021 final against Chennai Super Kings.
Iyer scored a match-winning knock of 55 runs off just 41 balls with the help of four fours and three maximums to get his team close to the target of 136 runs.
Iyer put together an opening alliance of 96 runs with Shubman Gill, who also played a crucial run-a-ball 46. Both the batters complemented each other and did a fine job in laying down the foundation of the run-chase.
Iyer has been the biggest positive for KKR in the second phase of the tournament and the Madhya Pradesh player has been able to grab his opportunity with both hands.
This was Iyer’s third fifty of the season for KKR and the left-handed batter has helped the franchise in turning the corner. The southpaw from Indore has amassed 320 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 40 and a decent strike rate of 125.
Iyer added that he is grateful for the opportunity he has received from the team management and he is trying to do what has been asked of him. The southpaw also added that his entire focus was on the match and he is not thinking too much regarding his net bowler selection for the T20 World Cup squad.
Venkatesh Iyer said while talking in the post-match presentation, “I am doing what has been asked of me. I am very happy that we ended on the winning side. There is no difference. I came out and played the way I want to play. I am grateful to the management. It is a wonderful place to come and play. I think in the past couple of games, I have been trying to restrict myself a bit as I wanted to stay till the end. But then I thought it is not me. I was losing out on the present trying to be a bit conservative. Gill is an extremely wonderful strokeplayer and we complement each other. Heard the news (about being asked to stay back in the Indian bio-bubble for the T20 World Cup) this morning, but my entire focus was on tonight’s game”.
Iyer will look to continue his good form and he will aim give his best in the all-important IPL 2021 final against Chennai Super Kings on Friday.
