Kolkata, April 4, 2025 – After Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) emphatic 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer emphasized the importance of intent, adaptability, and smart cricketing decisions. The all-rounder played a match-defining knock, scoring 60 off 29 balls, including 7 boundaries and 3 sixes, helping KKR post a formidable 200-run total at Eden Gardens.
Aggression Must Be Measured, Says Iyer
Post-match, Iyer spoke about the nuances of aggressive intent in cricket. “Being aggressive doesn’t always mean swinging at every ball,” he said. “It’s about understanding the situation. If the team is 50 for 6, hitting every ball may look aggressive but it’s not the right approach. To be called a smart cricketer, you need to assess conditions and respond accordingly.”
He praised his teammates, Ajinkya Rahane and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi, for helping him read the pitch better. Their 81-run partnership off 51 balls was crucial in stabilizing the innings after a shaky start.
“During the timeout, Ajju Bhai and Angkrish both pointed out that this pitch doesn’t allow you to start hitting immediately. You have to give it a few balls, settle down, and then plan your innings,” Iyer noted.
Depth in Batting Line-up: The Key to KKR’s Strategy
Iyer revealed how KKR’s powerful middle and lower order—Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Andre Russell—provided the freedom to build his innings wisely.
“I have the luxury of taking a few balls to get in. We have a powerful engine room that can dismantle any bowling attack,” he added.
While Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 32, their collective contributions helped KKR post a total that ultimately proved out of reach for the SRH side.
KKR Bowlers Capitalize on SRH’s Over-Aggression
Discussing SRH’s aggressive approach, Iyer highlighted how it backfired. “When a team plays ultra-aggressive cricket, the chances of losing quick wickets go up. Our bowlers, especially Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakravarthy, capitalized on that brilliantly,” he said.
Both bowlers took three wickets each, dismantling SRH’s top and middle order, and restricting them to just 120 runs in 16.4 overs—marking Hyderabad’s worst-ever loss by margin of runs in IPL history.
Happy to See Shami Back at Full Throttle
Iyer also expressed joy at Mohammed Shami’s return to competitive cricket, praising the veteran pacer’s form and speed. “The cricket fan in me is thrilled to see Shami Bhai bowling at full pace again. Playing him in the Ranji Trophy was a real challenge. In T20s, if a bowler makes even a small error, it goes to the boundary—but he’s still making it look easy,” Iyer concluded.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
