IPL 2021: I Used To Bat Right-Handed But I Wanted To Replicate Sourav Ganguly's Batting Style: Venkatesh Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders opener Venkatesh Iyer revealed that it was because of Sourav Ganguly’s charisma he wanted to join the team.

26-year-old Iyer has been getting all the attention since the IPL 2021 restarted this week. The left-handed batsman has impressed everyone with his audacity and grit to smash the best bowlers in the business.

Against Mumbai Indians, Iyer continued from where he left off against RCB in the last game. The batsman scored his maiden IPL fifty just playing in his second match as he terrorised Mumbai Indians bowlers with his belligerent shots.

Iyer completed his half-century in 25 balls, his stupendous innings included four fours and three sixes. The southpaw was involved in an 88-run alliance with Rahul Tripathi, who scored 74 in KKR’s chase.

After the match, Iyer said that his dream was fulfilled after he got picked by KKR and also mentioned that he is a big fan of former KKR skipper Ganguly.

“Honestly, KKR was the first franchise I wanted to get in because Sourav Ganguly was the captain initially so I wanted to get into KKR first. Got picked by the franchise so it was a dreamy moment for me.

“Everyone was very welcoming , I got a lot of gifts. I am a huge fan of Dada, he has got millions of fans around the globe and I am one of them. He has played a huge role in my batting,” Iyer told teammate Rahul Tripathi in a video posted on iplt20.com.

“I used to bat right-handed when I was very young but I wanted to exactly replicate Dada, how he hit sixes and the way he batted. He has played a very big role unknowingly in my life. I was really waiting for my opportunity and I knew I am going to get my chance,” he added.

KKR went on to beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets and jumped in the top four positions with eight points and a net run rate of +0.363.

Also Read: IPL 2021: He’s Got Something About Him – Brendon McCullum Believes Venkatesh Iyer Could Become Like Adam Gilchrist