Venkatesh Iyer: A rising star
Venkatesh Iyer is fast becoming one of the rising stars in Indian cricket. His story is an example of hard work, determination, and courage. Born on 25 December 1994 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Venkatesh faced many challenges in his career and made his mark in Indian cricket on his own.
Early life and education
Venkatesh Iyer’s childhood was spent in Indore, where he completed his schooling. He was as proficient in studies as he was in sports. He obtained a B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) degree and then planned to become a Chartered Accountant (CA).
However, he had two options a career in chartered accountancy in a reputed company or realizing his dreams in cricket. Venkatesh listened to his heart and chose cricket as his career. In 2018, he got a job offer from a reputed firm like Deloitte, but his passion for cricket kept him away from this profession.
Start of Cricket Career
Venkatesh started playing cricket at the age of just 10. Initially, he played as a wicketkeeper-batsman, but later developed into an all-rounder.
Performance in Domestic Cricket
Venkatesh Iyer started playing for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.
T20 Debut:
His first T20 match was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2015 against Railways.
List A Debut:
Made his List A debut against Saurashtra in 2015.
Ranji Trophy Debut:
Made his Ranji Trophy debut against Hyderabad in 2018.
Venkatesh caught everyone’s attention with his brilliant performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2020-21. He played an innings of 198 runs against Punjab, which became a big milestone in his career.
IPL Career
Venkatesh Iyer’s career reached new dimensions after joining the IPL (Indian Premier League).
2021 Season:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) added him to their team for Rs 20 lakh. He made his IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, scoring 41 runs. His performance this season helped KKR reach the final.
2023 Season:
KKR retained him for Rs 8 crore in the 2023 season. During this, he scored his first IPL century by scoring 104 runs against Mumbai Indians. This was an example of his talent and depth of the game.
International career
Venkatesh also made his place in the Indian team. He made his debut in the T20 series against New Zealand in 2021.
All-round performance:
Venkatesh contributed with both bat and ball for the Indian team. His utility as a fast bowler all-rounder has been special for the Indian team.
Playing style and characteristics
Venkatesh Iyer’s batting style is aggressive and in line with modern T20 cricket. He also proves useful for the team as a fast bowler. His fitness and presence on the field makes him a great all-rounder.
Personal life and inspiration
Venkatesh’s father’s name is Rajasekharan Iyer and mother’s name is Usha Iyer. His family has always been a source of inspiration in his career. Venkatesh is unmarried and is fully focused on his career.
Major achievements
Scoring a century in IPL.
Consistent performances in domestic cricket.
All-round performance for the Indian team.
Excelling in studies along with cricket.
Challenges and learnings
Venkatesh Iyer’s journey has been full of struggles. Striking a balance between cricket and education, making the right choice of professional career options, and making a mark at the highest level in the sport—all these have made him a strong personality.