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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were unstoppable in the IPL 2024 season, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final to claim their third IPL title on May 26. This victory adds to their championship wins in 2012 and 2014, making them the second most successful team in IPL history after the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). The addition of Gautam Gambhir as a mentor before the season proved to be a game-changer for KKR. The former Indian opener's guidance played a crucial role in turning the tide in their favor. Throughout the season, KKR displayed remarkable consistency, losing only three matches. In the finals, Venkatesh Iyer's blistering knock of 52 runs off just 26 balls was instrumental in their dominating win over SRH in Chennai.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Venkatesh Iyer for India call-up
Venkatesh Iyer emerged as a reliable source of runs for the Kolkata Knight Riders throughout IPL 2024. He consistently delivered whenever the team needed him, accumulating an impressive 370 runs in 14 matches. This strong performance even caught the eye of legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar.
Gavaskar expressed his support for Iyer, believing he has the potential to return to the Indian national team. Iyer had received a call-up in 2021 but was unable to consistently perform, leading to his dropping. However, Gavaskar's praise suggests that Iyer's IPL 2024 showing might pave the way for a return to the national spotlight.
"I feel his batting and thinking have changed a little this time and for the better. Due to that, I believe he can once again become an India prospect because he bowls as well. He is also a very good fielder. If you are a left-handed middle-order batter in T20 or 50-over cricket and can bowl a few overs as well, it is icing on the cake,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
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While praising Venkatesh Iyer's consistency in IPL 2024, Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out some areas for improvement. He mentioned that Iyer might have struggled with overconfidence during his stint with the Indian team in 2021. Additionally, Gavaskar noted that Iyer's performance in IPL 2023 wasn't up to par, with him getting dismissed cheaply on several occasions. These observations suggest that while Iyer is on the right track, maintaining focus and consistency will be crucial for him to secure a permanent spot in the national team.
"In the last season, he had played for India and was looking slightly overconfident, and was getting out because of that. Yes, I remember that he scored a century against Mumbai. It's not that his season was bad but he was getting out while trying to hit sixes or play big shots soon after his arrival," Gavaskar added.
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