Home
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Brendon McCullum hailed the new KKR sensation Venkatesh Iyer saying that the 26-year old has a bright future ahead and not just as a batsman, but as a genuine all-rounder. The former Kiwi captain went on to compare Iyer with the England star all-rounder Ben Stokes.
McCullum’s remarks come after Iyer’s all-round performance, where he scored a dominating 49-ball 67 and picked up the important wicket of KL Rahul in a losing cause against Punjab Kings bowling the final over defending just five runs.
“In my view, he’s definitely an all-rounder! When we talk about Venkatesh Iyer it’s not just his cricketing ability, it’s his mindset and cricketing brain and also the fact that he’s got other things going on in his life which means that cricket is not necessarily everything to him," McCullum said in the post-match press conference.
The former New Zealand skipper said Iyer reminded him of Stokes, who has taken an indefinite break from cricket.
“He has a great perspective on the sport. He is a guy with huge ambition and a really bright future, not just a batsman but as a genuine all-rounder. The catch he almost pulled off tonight was reminiscent on another great all-rounder who is not playing the game but has been dominant- Ben Stokes. So, I think he’s one of these cricketers who is going to continue to be better and better," he added.
McCullum believes the Madhya Pradesh player will be a dominant performer in the shortest form of the game.
“I don’t think he’s going to be consistent player for a while when it comes to batting just because of his walk to hit the ball which I clearly encourage. But you know, I think what he’s done for us already has shown that he belongs at this level and is going to be dominant in the form of the game if he continues to approach it in the same manner as he has so far,” he lauded Iyer's performances.
KKR skipper Eoin Morgan also heaped praises on KKR’s new-found star calling him the ‘real find’ for Knight Riders.
“Yeah, Venkatesh Iyer is some player. He’s a real find for us, has been with us the whole campaign and we have watched him in practice. Above all, his attitude is fantastic for a guy that plays fearlessly as he does with the bat. He takes a lot of responsibility with the ball,” Morgan said in the post-match presentation.
