IPL 2023: Happy to score a century, disappointed for team's defeat, says KKR's Venkatesh Iyer

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) It was with mixed feelings that Kolkata Knight Riders batter Venkatesh Iyer sat down for the post-match interaction with media here on Sunday. Iyer had struck a belligerent century off 49 balls -- the second century for KKR in IPL after Brendon McCullum's 158 not out. But KKR still ended on a losing note as Mumbai Indians easily overhauled their score of 185/6 with five wickets in hand and 14 balls to spare.

Venkatesh became the first batter to score a hundred for Kolkata Knight Riders since Brendon McCullum in 2008, hitting a 51-ball 104 that helped them reach 185/6 in 20 overs.

While KKR had lost N Jagadeeshan (0), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8) and skipper Nitish Rana (5) cheaply, Venkatesh continued to flourish at the other end, batting fluently and at an outstanding strike rate of 200+. He completed his half-century off 23 balls and raced to his first century in 49 deliveries, hitting six fours and nine sixes.

But what rankled him the most on Sunday was that KKR lost the match despite his best efforts.

"Obviously I am disappointed because this is a team game and we have lost the game. I am extremely disappointed with that fact and my individual preparations will go on, but as a team what we have to do is what I'm gonna think collectively with the team.

But yeah, I'm pleased with how I played, and how I approached my innings today. I've always maintained that runs don't matter to me. It's my mindset, it's my approach, and how I look at the game and innings. Really happy about that. But as a team, we've got lots to work on and hopefully, we'll take back a lot of positives," Iyer said after the match on Sunday.

IPL 2023 is quite crucial for Venkatesh as he is coming back after a lengthy injury and rehab at the National Cricket Academy. Iyer credited the system put in place by the BCCI for taking care of him as he recuperated from the injury.

"IPL is a comeback tournament. I broke my left ankle six months back -- the subtalar joint had come out - and it was a freakish accident. But I am fortunate to be under a system where the BCCI takes care of me. Everything was taken care of and I was at the NCA for four to five months. All the doctors and trainers were very cooperative and they helped me come out of this space," said Iyer.

The 29-year-old from Indore in Madhya Pradesh said the injury layoff period was not only tough physically but also mentally for him.

"(The) Injury does not take a toll on your body just physically, but mentally also, you go through a lot. Post my injury, coming back and playing was something that made me smile. A lot of doctors told me that I would not be able to run as fast as I normally would. I would feel disappointed but I am happy that I am back on the field and doing what I love the most and contributing to the team," said Venkatesh, who had come in as Impact Player in all three matches in IPL 2023 so far.

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Asked whether he was hoping to make it back to the Indian team after breaking through following his tremendous performance in IPL 2021 in Abu Dhabi, Venkatesh Iyer said he just want to go and explore what he can do in the cricket field.

"I have gratitude for whatever I have got. I got the opportunity to play for India and I don't believe in losing the place and coming back. That's not something that I look at. That's not in my hands. I never thought of playing for India when I played in the IPL in Abu Dhabi, so that's not a part of my process," the left-hander said.

I just want to go out and explore what I can do on a cricket field. As far as this season goes, it's Venkatesh Iyer doing what's correct for the team and not individually. The clarity of roles given to me is amazing and I am looking to go out there and execute that plan," he added.

As said it was initially tough for him making a comeback after the injury.

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"The first impression was to go out because it was unbearable, but the way the coach and the staff attended me and motivated me to keep going is something I am privileged about. That kept me going," he said.

COACHES NAYAR, PANDIT A BIT HELP

Iyer credited KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him with his batting and credited him for hitting the century at the Wankhede on Sunday.

"One name worth mentioning here is Abhishek Nayar. He has worked with my batting day in and day out and not just batting, but also my approach toward the game. I credit this century to him. As far as Chandu sir (KKR coach Chandrakant Pandit) goes, I have been working with him for three years and I am happy that his tactics are now at an international level. What you are seeing out there is that KKR is one family -- we win together, and we lose together. We are a much more disciplined side," he said.

He also gave credit to coach Chandrakant Pandit for helping him improve as a player.

"He has been observing me for some time now, so he knows what my strengths and limitations are. He keeps on pushing me toward my strength. Sometimes, to look for extraordinary things, we forget the simpler things, so Chandu sir keeps us towards the basics a lot. That's helping us," said Venkatesh Iyer.