Venkatesh Iyer’s Blazing 60 Powers KKR to 80-Run Win Over SRH
Kolkata, Apr 4: Venkatesh Iyer silenced his critics with a blistering 60 off 29 balls as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a commanding 80-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.
Chasing a daunting 201-run target, SRH were bundled out for just 120 in 16.4 overs, slumping to their third consecutive defeat of the season. KKR’s bowling unit, led by Vaibhav Arora (3/29) and Varun Chakravarthy (3/22), dismantled SRH’s famed batting line-up after early strikes left them reeling at 9/3.
Opting to bowl first, SRH struck early blows with Quinton de Kock (1) and Sunil Narine (7) falling cheaply. However, a steadying 81-run stand between Angkrish Raghuvanshi (50 off 32) and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (38 off 27) laid the foundation for KKR’s innings. Raghuvanshi impressed with his strokeplay, reaching his maiden IPL fifty in just 30 balls.
Venkatesh Iyer then took center stage, launching a late assault alongside Rinku Singh (32* off 17), as the duo added 91 runs in just 41 deliveries. KKR smashed 78 runs in the last five overs to post 200/5 – their highest total of the season.
SRH’s bowlers, including debutant Kamindu Mendis (1/4) and Zeeshan Ansari (1/25), made brief inroads but failed to contain Iyer and Rinku in the death overs. Captain Pat Cummins’ decision to underutilize his spinners on a pitch showing variable bounce drew criticism.
In response, SRH’s top order crumbled early. Vaibhav Arora removed Travis Head (4) and Ishan Kishan (2) in quick succession, while Harshit Rana dismissed Abhishek Sharma (2) to leave SRH at 9/3.
Brief resistance came from Nitish Reddy (19) and Kamindu Mendis (27), but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Andre Russell and Narine chipped in with a wicket each before Chakravarthy cleaned up the lower order to seal a dominant win for KKR.
With this victory, KKR bounced back after two early losses in the tournament, while SRH remain winless in their last three matches. KKR will next face Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday, while SRH head to Hyderabad to take on Gujarat Titans on Sunday.
Brief Scores: KKR: 200/5 in 20 overs (Venkatesh Iyer 60, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 50; Kamindu Mendis 1/4, Mohammed Shami 1/29)
SRH: 120 all out in 16.4 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 33; Vaibhav Arora 3/29, Varun Chakravarthy 3/22)
