KKR's 23.75 Cr IPL 2025 Buy Venkatesh Iyer Embarrassed By CSK's Part-Timer In SMAT

Venkatesh Iyer will play for KKR in IPL 2025 [Source: @KKRWeRule/X]

Kolkata Knight Riders' premier batter Venkatesh Iyer registered a poor outing with the bat, as he was dismissed cheaply in Madhya Pradesh's ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy encounter against Rajasthan. Coming at number six, Iyer managed only 16 runs before Rajasthan's part-time bowler Deepak Hooda got his wicket in the 15th over. 

Rajasthan captain Mahipal Lomror won the toss and opted to bowl in order to capitalise on the playing conditions at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Madhya Pradesh had a horrible start to their innings, losing three wickets inside the first seven overs. With Harpreet Singh Bhatia fighting at one end, Venkatesh Iyer was expected to bail MP out of trouble with his scintillating stroke-play. 

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However, Iyer, who was sold to KKR for a whopping amount of INR 23.75 Cr in the IPL 2025 auction, failed to live up to the expectations, being dismissed by part-time off-spinner Deepak Hooda. He took 14 balls for his 16-run knock, which he struck with the help of two boundaries. Notably, Hooda was bagged by Chennai Super Kings for 1.70 Cr. 

Rajasthan's Disciplined Bowling Restricts MP To A Modest Total

Bowling first, Rajasthan exhibited skills to restrict MP to a sub-par total. Apart from Bhatia's 36-ball 41, none of the MP batters put up a fight against Rajasthan's rampant bowling unit, as they posted 139 runs on the board. Manav Suthar was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball for Rajasthan, scalping two wickets for 17 runs in his four-over spell. 

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