New Delhi: A gutsy maiden IPL fifty from Venkatesh Iyer (30-ball 53) and a fiery knock from Rahul Tripathi (42-ball 74) helped Kolkata Knight Riders attain a clinical win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 Phase 2 match on Thursday at Abu Dhabi. After defeating Mumbai, Kolkata jumped into top four in IPL 2021 Points Table to keep their hopes of reaching the playoffs alive as well.
Kolkata Knight Riders opener Venkatesh Iyer has impressed with his batting in the UAE leg of IPL. Earlier in the tournament, he had played a brilliant 41-run innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore and later scored 53 runs against Mumbai Indians.
KKR head coach Brendon McCullum is highly impressed with the way Venkatesh Iyer has been batting in the tournament. He said that Iyer has the ability to play shots all around the field and the potential to grow into a player like Australian legend Adam Gilchrist.
“Venkatesh Iyer on debut – I thought his composure was fantastic to watch. I think he might be one of those players who might end up inconsistent… with the way that he plays and the stroke-making that he possesses.
“But I think he’s got the ability to win games when he’s on. Think he could be one of those players who go hundred, hundred, zero, zero. He just might be one of those types, sort of Adam Gilchrist type of player. He’s got something about him,” McCullum said during his conversation with the IPL commentators.
“He’s a highly intelligent player as well for someone relatively inexperienced as well. I think the combination along with Shubman Gill is something that enthuses me as a fellow top-order batsman [myself] – the way they’re able to complement each other,” McCullum added.
Talking about the MI vs KKR match on Thursday, Mumbai Indians scored 155/6 after batting first. In reply, KKR chased down the target in the 19th over for loss of three wickets.