Venkatesh Iyer, born on December 25, 1994, is an Indian cricketer known for his performances in domestic cricket and his role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a player for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Here's an overview of his career:
Domestic Career:
- Iyer made his Twenty20 debut and List A debut in 2015 for Madhya Pradesh while pursuing his education.
- He transitioned from studying Commerce to enrolling in an MBA in finance to focus on his cricket career.
- He made his first-class debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy.
- Iyer excelled in the 2021-22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was a prolific scorer and showcased his all-round skills.
Indian Premier League (IPL):
- In 2021, Iyer was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL auction.
- He made his IPL debut for KKR in September 2021 and scored his maiden IPL fifty.
- In his debut season, Iyer emerged as a key player for KKR, contributing significantly to their run to the final.
- He continued his good form in the 2023 IPL season, scoring his maiden IPL century against Mumbai Indians.
International Debut and Career:
- Iyer's performances in domestic cricket earned him opportunities at the international level.
- He was asked to stay back in the UAE as a net bowler for India's squad during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.
- He made his T20 International (T20I) debut for India in November 2021 against New Zealand and made his bowling debut in the same series.
- He made his One Day International (ODI) debut in January 2022 against South Africa.
- Iyer was part of India's T20I squad against the West Indies in January 2022 and made notable contributions with the bat and ball.
- He was named in India's T20I squad for the series against Ireland in June 2022.
Key Performances:
- Iyer's all-round abilities, including his batting and bowling, have made him a valuable asset in various formats of the game.
- He impressed with his batting in domestic cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
In summary, Venkatesh Iyer has showcased his talent and skills as a versatile cricketer, excelling in both domestic cricket and the IPL. His performances have earned him opportunities at the international level, and he has the potential to become a significant contributor to the Indian cricket team in the future.