IPL 2025: Anil Kumble believes KKR should consider pushing Venkatesh Iyer into the batting order

New -delhi [India]April 27 (ANI): India decorated turner Anil Kumble believes that defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders should move their record signing, Venkatesh Iyer, in the batting order to his elongated dry play with the bat, continues in the 18th edition of the cash rich league. With seven points out of nine games, the Knighters are about to see their title defense ending in the group stage. Kolkata set up their group in an effort to find the winning momentum as the group stage goes to the end of the company. Kumble believes it is time for KKR to consider promoting his wrong vice captain, Venkatesh, on the batting order, which has so far remained static in the middle order. Venkatesh’s fight reflects in the shift in his batting position from the top order in IPL 2024 to number four or five in the current issue. In the last chapter of the continuing league, Venkatesh flourished with a PowerPlay strike rate of 220. In his new batting position, however, the Southpaw set 135 runs at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 139.17. Venkatesh’s 60 (29) against Sunrisers Hyderabad was his only substantial achievement. ‘They had an opportunity in this match to move Venky right on the order [in this game]. Open the batting with Sunil Narine and then bring in an Indian wicketkeeper. Either way, they wanted to drop ramandeep – okay, good, get [Luvnith] Sisodia in, he is not a bad player, he can hold wickets. And bring [Anrich] Nortje because Nortje can play instead of Chetan Sakariya, “Kumble said at the Time Out show of ESPNCRICINFO.”[Venkatesh] Need the pace on the ball. You have six overs, the PowerPlay, this is where he can play his natural game, over. He did it in the past, that’s how he returned in the playoffs when they were in Dubai, ‘he added. During their home game against Punjab Kings, the defending champions used their 17th and 18th players this season. Chetan Sakariya, the replacement of Umran Malik and Rovman Powell in place of Ramandeep Singh, brought to the XI for the firm. The milieu of the knight riders treading in the must-win area. drive or things like that. So I’m not sure [about their chances]. They made – what? – two changes [for the PBKS game]? Chetan Sakariya played his first game. Rovman made his debut for KKR. So of course they have to stick to it [XI for the next game]. Although Chetan did break its overs [3-0-39-0]Rovman [didn’t bat]. They will have to continue with it in the next game, “he said.” In terms of quality and ability, I think KKR has it in them. Looking back at their championship team last year compared to this year, it’s just that their players underperform. It is not that the staff changed it drastically. You have Quinton de Kock instead of Phil Salt. Quinton de Kock is equally destructive. [Rahmanullah] Gurbaz was there last year – he came in for Phil Salt [for the playoffs] And did really well. Sunil Narine played exceptionally well last year. Instead of Shreyas Iyer, you have Ajinkya Rahane as captain. He beat KKR very well at Number 3. So there is not much change, but they have to do something to get all the points, ‘he added. (Ani) first published: 27 Apr 2025, 12:31 pm Ist