Venkatesh Iyer joins Brendon McCullum as KKR's second-ever IPL centurion
Kolkata Knight Riders dasher Venkatesh Iyer scripted history against Mumbai Indians in match 22 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. He was the shining light among the KKR batters as he smashed his maiden IPL ton. In the process, he has become the second centurion for the franchise after Brendon McCullum, who smashed a record-breaking century in IPL's first-ever encounter.
A splendid knock from Venkatesh
Once again, KKR lost an early wicket and Venkatesh was at the crease inside the second over. He steadied the ship by adding 46 runs with Ramanullah Gurbaz and later stitched a 50-run stand with Shardul Thakur. Venkatesh slammed nine maximums and six fours at a blazing strike rate of 203.92. He finished with 104 off 51 balls and was dismissed by Riley Meredith.
Second centurion for KKR
McCullum's 158* against RCB in the opening match of the inaugural IPL 2008 was the first century scored by a KKR batter. However, since that ton, no other batter has managed to touch the three figures for the franchise. Venkatesh, over all these years, became the first centurion for KKR. He became the first KKR batter to slam a ton against MI.
Highest score by a KKR batter against MI
Venkatesh's 104 was the maximum number of runs scored by a KKR batter against MI in the IPL. He also became the eighth batter to slam a ton against MI.
Third 50-plus score for Venkatesh versus MI
Venkatesh's 51-ball 104 was his third 50-plus score against MI. He has faced them in four matches and has scored 250 runs at a superb average of 83.33. He scored a 24-ball 43 in their last meeting and that was the only time he missed a fifty. Last season, he also slammed a 50* against MI and helped KKR win by 5 wickets.
How did the innings pan out?
Batting first, KKR lost Narayan Jagadeesan early, before Venkatesh and Gurbaz steadied the ship. He later added a 50-run partnership with Shardul taking the total beyond the 120-run mark. Later, Andre Russell (21) played a short cameo to help them post 185/6. Hrithik Shokeen was the pick of the bowlers with 2/34. Piyush Chawla was also very impressive as he finished with 1/14.
