KKR’s Costliest Asset Unveils the True Meaning of ‘Aggressive Cricket: It’s Not Just About Hitting Every Ball Hard

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Vice-Captain Venkatesh Iyer Delivers Breakthrough Insights into Team’s Success

In a comprehensive 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, KKR vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer underscored the importance of adapting to match situations and reading the game correctly. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder registered a whirlwind 60 off 29 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes, setting up KKR’s dominant total of 200 at the Eden Gardens.

When asked about the team’s batting approach, Iyer emphasized that aggression in cricket means displaying positive and correct intent. “It’s not about tonking every ball for a maximum,” he clarified. “If we’re 50-6 and I still go for it, that’s positive but not correct. Reading the situation and reacting accordingly is very important for smart cricketers.”

Iyer, who was purchased for a record-breaking Rs 23.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, credits his teammates, particularly skipper Ajinkya Rahane and young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi, for providing valuable insights during strategic time-outs. “The main communication was by Ajinkya and Angkrish. Their messages made us understand that the pitch wasn’t easy to just go out there and hit,” he shared. Iyer emphasized the need for understanding conditions and maximizing them in favor, reiterating that aggression doesn’t imply hitting every ball for a six.

KKR’s batting strategy relied on Iyer and Rinku Singh laying a foundation before accelerating in the death overs, thanks to destructive batters like Andre Russell waiting in the dugout. “I have that luxury because we have Rinku, Ramandeep, and Russell in the back end. If I take a few balls, I know I can cover it to an extent. We still have our engine room who can demolish any bowling attack,” Iyer said.

When discussing SRH’s aggressive batting approach, which faltered against KKR’s bowling led by Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy, Iyer observed, “We’re not comfortable with any score when it comes to SRH. A team which is ultra-aggressive always carries the risk of losing wickets, and that’s what we wanted to exploit.” The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder also appreciated facing star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who recently returned to cricket after a long injury layoff. “The cricket fan in me is very happy to see Shami Bhai back and running in full flow. It was extremely challenging to play him in the Ranji trophy, but here in T20, the bowler also has a mindset that if they err, they can get hit for a boundary.”

As IPL 2025 continues to unfold, Iyer’s insights into KKR’s strategy and his individual performance have left fans and pundits alike looking forward to the team’s next challenge. With a strong batting lineup and a potent bowling attack, the Kolkata-based franchise seems well-equipped to make a deep run in the competition.

Original Source: https://www.india.com/cricket-2/kkr-most-expensive-player-reveals-meaning-of-aggression-says-does-not-mean-hitting-every-ball-venkatesh-iyer-7731582/
Category : Cricket,News,Sports,IPL,IPL 2025,KKR,KKR vs SRH,Kolkata Knight Riders,Shah Rukh Khan,SRH,Sunrisers Hyderabad,Venkatesh Iyer
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 14:29:00