- Full Name: Venkatesh Rajasekaran Iyer
- Date of Birth: December 25, 1994
- Age: 30 years (as of 2024)
- Place of Birth: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Cricketer
- Batting Style: Left-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium
- Role in Team: All-rounder
- Net Worth: 23.75 crores
Early Life and Education:
Madhya Pradesh’s Indore is where Venkatesh Iyer was born and reared. He was raised in a middle-class household and had an early passion for cricket. His parents encouraged him to mix athletics and academics since they shared his interest.
He started playing cricket while he was a student at Indore’s St. Paul Higher Secondary School. In addition to his developing passion for cricket, Venkatesh was a stellar student. Later, he studied at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore to earn a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree.
He showed his dedication to school by completing an MBA in Finance to further his academic endeavours. He feels that his analytical thinking, which he developed from his banking background, helps him in his cricket approach.
Venkatesh represented his school and university teams and took part in state-level competitions during his time in school and college. His ambitions to play cricket were further cemented by his performances in these games. He concentrated on pursuing a professional cricket career since, despite his academic achievements, his love for the game never wavered.
Cricket Career:
Iyer began his cricket career playing domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh. After making his T20 debut in 2015, he immediately became well-known for his potent hitting style and practical medium-pace bowling.
His selection by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) marked his breakthrough. His aggressive opening-day batting exploits were crucial to KKR’s campaign that year. He received recognition and a position on the Indian national squad for his reliability and versatility.
In November 2021, Iyer made his debut for India in a T20 International series against New Zealand. Since then, he has contributed both batting power and bowling versatility to India’s limited-overs team.
Notable Achievements:
- Starred in IPL 2021, helping Kolkata Knight Riders reach the finals.
- Made his T20I debut for India in 2021.
- Played a significant role in domestic cricket representing Madhya Pradesh.
- Known for his aggressive left-handed batting and effective medium-pace bowling.
Personal Life:
Venkatesh Iyer maintains his composure and concentration in spite of his rising cricketing popularity. His favourite things to do in his free time are read and travel, as well as spend time with his family.
Awards and Achievements:
IPL 2021 Star Performer: Played a crucial role for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the second half of IPL 2021, scoring impactful runs as an opener and leading the team to the finals.
International Debut: Made his debut for India in a Twenty20 international match in November 2021 against New Zealand.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Made a substantial contribution to the local T20 event, bolstering Madhya Pradesh’s squad with his versatility.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021: He gained national attention for his outstanding achievements in the domestic 50-over event.
Emerging Player Recognition: Gained recognition as one of the IPL’s most promising all-round players, receiving commendation from both cricket analysts and supporters.
Match-winning Innings: Rnowned for winning games under duress, especially while playing for KKR in crucial matches.
Legacy and Future Prospects:
Young cricket players find inspiration in Venkatesh Iyer’s transformation from a domestic player to an international superstar. He is a vital component of Indian cricket due to his dedication to the game and his ability as an all-rounder. He is anticipated to make a substantial contribution to Indian cricket in the upcoming years with steady performances.