Venkatesh Iyer breaks KKR’s 15-year century drought; first since McCullum’s historic 158* in IPL 2008 opener

KKR’s lone century in the 2008 Indian Premier League was scored by McCullum, who was accompanied by Venkatesh Iyer.

 In the Indian Premier League, Venkatesh Iyer scored a century, becoming the first member of the Kolkata Knight Riders to do so since Brendon McCullum. It’s interesting to note that McCullum only scored one hundred runs for the Knight Riders in the first ever IPL match, which took place in 2008, when he hit a stunning unbeaten 158 off just 73 deliveries. Iyer’s scorching innings against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday afternoon included a record milestone that he attained in just 49 deliveries.  

Venkatesh Iyer(IPL)
Venkatesh Iyer(IPL)

The left-handed hitter had a strong start to the 2023 season, scoring 130 runs through his first four games. Last week, when his team played the defending champion Gujarat Titans, he quickly scored 83 runs in just 40 deliveries. He made a huge step forward on Sunday as he became only the second KKR player to score in three figures, joining McCullum. 

 Iyer got off to a quick start in his innings against the Mumbai Indians by showing up at the crease before Rahmanullah Gurbaz was out in the second over.

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Iyer sped to 39 off 16 deliveries by the time the powerplay ended, and even though he appeared to have a leg injury that necessitated immediate physiotherapy, the left-handed batter eventually came back to bat and reached his half-century in 23 deliverie.

 The batter destroyed the MI bowlers, hitting six fours and nine sixes on his way to the triple-figure mark. His next fifty runs came off only 26 deliveries. Riley Meredith eventually got rid of Iyer in the 18th inning after Iyer attempted a huge hit but failed to time his reverse hit perfectly. At deep third base, Duane Jansen fielded a perfect pitch to finish Iyer’s at-bat.

 

Iyer scored his first century in the competition with this; up to this point, the batting all-arounder has played only for Kolkata Knight Riders. McCullum, the only other KKR player with a century, reached the three-figure mark against the RCB in 53 deliveries.

 

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