{"id":39427,"date":"2025-04-04T11:15:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T11:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=39427"},"modified":"2025-04-04T11:15:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T11:15:12","slug":"venkatesh-iyer-silences-critics-with-blistering-knock-stresses-team-impact-over-price-tag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=39427","title":{"rendered":"Venkatesh Iyer Silences Critics with Blistering Knock, Stresses Team Impact Over Price Tag"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)<\/strong> vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer<\/strong> has made it clear that his hefty \u20b923.75 crore price tag isn\u2019t a burden, nor does it dictate his every move on the field. After a couple of underwhelming performances to start the IPL season<\/strong>, Iyer bounced back in style, smashing a 29-ball 60<\/strong> that led KKR to an emphatic 80-run victory<\/strong> over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Speaking candidly at the post-match press conference, Iyer acknowledged the pressure but dismissed the notion that his price means he must score heavily in every outing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t lie, there is a little pressure. You guys talk so much,\u201d he quipped. \u201cBut being the highest-paid player doesn\u2019t mean I have to score in every match. It\u2019s about the impact I make and how I contribute to wins.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Iyer, who was re-signed by KKR through the Right to Match (RTM)<\/strong> card during the mega auction, became their most expensive player and the third costliest<\/strong> in IPL history. His slow start to the season sparked debates, but his powerful innings against SRH was a resounding answer.<\/p>\n

When asked whether the performance released the pressure of expectations, Iyer turned the question around:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell me? Once the IPL starts, whether you\u2019re paid \u20b920 lakh or \u20b920 crore, you\u2019re a team player. Sometimes my job is just to hold one end\u2014even if I don\u2019t score, that\u2019s still value to the team.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adapting to Conditions, Not Chasing Records<\/h3>\n

Addressing criticism around the Eden Gardens pitch<\/strong>, often viewed as unfriendly to KKR’s spin-heavy attack, Iyer said the team adapts to whatever is in front of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re professionals. Of course, it helps to get conditions that suit us at home, but we never complain. We adjusted well today and used the surface to our advantage.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

KKR\u2019s season had started shakily, with collapses against RCB<\/strong> and MI<\/strong>, drawing criticism for reckless batting. But Iyer clarified that KKR\u2019s philosophy isn\u2019t about all-out aggression.<\/p>\n

\u201cAggression doesn\u2019t mean swinging at everything. It\u2019s about playing with positive, calculated intent. We\u2019re not a team aiming for 250 one day and collapsing for 70 the next.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

In what seemed like a dig at SRH, who posted a record 286\/6<\/strong> earlier this season but have since slumped, Iyer emphasized consistency and smart cricket:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to assess the pitch quickly and aim for a score that\u2019s 20 runs above par\u2014that\u2019s our version of aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n

Partnership with Rinku Singh Seals the Deal<\/h3>\n

After losing Ajinkya Rahane<\/strong> and Angkrish Raghuvanshi<\/strong> in quick succession, Iyer and Rinku Singh<\/strong> steadied the ship and then launched a final-overs assault, adding 91 runs<\/strong> together with 78 coming in the last five overs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe message during the timeout was clear\u2014this wasn\u2019t a pitch to start hitting from ball one. We had to take time and assess. The ball was gripping and turning, so a thoughtful approach was needed,\u201d Iyer explained.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With his return to form and leadership at the crease, Iyer has not only justified his price tag for now but also reaffirmed that cricket, at its core, is still about smart, team-first decisions\u2014not just big money or big hits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer has made it clear that his hefty \u20b923.75 crore price tag isn\u2019t a burden, nor does it dictate his every move on the field. After a couple of underwhelming performances to start the IPL season, Iyer bounced back in style, smashing a 29-ball 60 that led KKR to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nVenkatesh Iyer Silences Critics with Blistering Knock, Stresses Team Impact Over Price Tag - PP Newsline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=39427\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Venkatesh Iyer Silences Critics with Blistering Knock, Stresses Team Impact Over Price Tag - PP Newsline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer has made it clear that his hefty \u20b923.75 crore price tag isn\u2019t a burden, nor does it dictate his every move on the field. 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