SMAT 2024: In the third quarter-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, played on December 11 at the Alur KSCA Cricket Ground, Venkatesh Iyer showcased his all-round abilities, stepping up with the ball to help Madhya Pradesh restrict Saurashtra to a modest total. Known primarily for his batting in recent years, Iyer reminded everyone of his value as a handy right-arm medium pacer with a brilliant spell of bowling.
Madhya Pradesh Opt to Bowl First
After winning the toss, Madhya Pradesh chose to bowl, but the start didn’t go according to plan. Saurashtra’s opener, T. Gohel, was dismissed early in the first over by Tripuresh Singh, setting an intense tone for the match. The early wicket was a sign of things to come, with both teams fighting hard for supremacy.
Iyer’s Key Contributions to the Ball
Venkatesh Iyer came into the attack in the 15th over and made an immediate impact. His first breakthrough came when he removed Sammar Gajjar with a perfectly executed full delivery that shattered the leg stump. Gajjar missed a slog shot towards mid-wicket, handing Iyer his first wicket.
Iyer struck again in his next over, dismissing Ruchit Ahir with a short ball outside off stump. Ahir attempted to pull the delivery but skied it to Subhranshu Senapati at deep midwicket.
Iyer finished with impressive figures of 3-0-23-2, playing a key role in limiting Saurashtra to 173 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.
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Saurashtra have set a target of 174 in front of Madhya Pradesh 🎯
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 11, 2024
Chirag Jani led Saurashtra's charge with 80*(45)
Venkatesh Iyer bowled an excellent spell of 3-0-23-2#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/h2Twh4lYDZ pic.twitter.com/b4HBQWqhuy
Iyer’s All-Round Abilities Add Value to KKR
Venkatesh Iyer’s standout performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy adds to his reputation as a valuable all-rounder. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball provides flexibility to his team, and this versatility is one of the key reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) splurged ₹23.75 crore to secure his services in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Iyer’s performance in the SMAT further strengthens his case as a key player for KKR, where he is also being considered a strong contender to take over the captaincy from Shreyas Iyer.
A Bright Future Ahead
With performances like these, Venkatesh Iyer is proving himself to be more than just a batting star. His all-round contributions are likely to be a huge asset for both Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and KKR in the IPL, providing his teams with greater balance and depth.
