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Kevin Pietersen Hails Venkatesh Iyer Following His Blazing Ton Against Mumbai Indians

image-lgkfwtjuVenkatesh Iyer smashed a hundred against MI yesterday [Source: AP]

On Sunday, two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a demoralising five-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians in the 22nd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Despite KKR's defeat, top-order batter Venkatesh Iyer earned plaudits from all corners of the world for his sensational hundred that helped his side post a challenging 185-run total. 

On a pitch where his teammates struggled to get going, Iyer emerged as the lone warrior for the Knight Riders, slamming a glorious 51-ball 104, studded with six fours and nine gigantic sixes. 

Following his fireworks, the swashbuckling southpaw from Madhya Pradesh received accolades from legendary English batter Kevin Pietersen, who admired his 360-degree stroke play. 

Speaking to the broadcasters Star Sports, the former England captain lauded Iyer for his incredible back foot game, remembering the day when he saw the batter for the first time in the UAE. 

Here's what Pietersen said

"He is a tall guy; he stands on top of the bounce because of his height. I'm very impressed with the way he played off the back foot too, and he also doesn't get bogged down by the spinners. He is a 360 kind of player,

"He is not afraid to play all around the ground. It was in Dubai that we first saw him in the IPL where he lit the stage up when he played a couple of pull shots and a couple of drives. I looked at him and thought 'Okay, this guy has some star quality' and today, we have seen it."

Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2023

Venkatesh Iyer has had a prolific run in the IPL 2023 so far, amassing 234 runs, including a hundred and a fifty, at an average of 46.80 and a blistering strike rate of 170.80. He had a shilly-shally start to the tournament, but got his rhythm quickly, playing scintillating knocks against Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. 

Speaking of KKR, the Nitish Rana-led outfit fell to the fifth place in the standings after yesterday's loss. Up next, they will face Delhi Capitals in the 28th match of the tournament on April 20.