First-class promotion

Venkatesh Iyer has become the Kolkata Knight Ridersrsquo star batter in the UAE leg of IPL14 having played two matchwinning knocks in two outingsIyer 26 who smashed an unbeaten 27ball 41 in his teamrsquos ninewicket win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore recently followed it up with a 30ball 53 in KKRrsquos sevenwicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians on ThursdayInterestingly there is a Mumbai connection to Iyerrsquos success story Iyer wasnrsquot always an opener and used to bat at No 6 or 7 for Madhya Pradesh in firstclass cricket since 2015 However earlier this year he was promoted up the order by MP coach Chandrakant Pandit a former Mumbai and India wicketkeeperAlso Read KKRs Venkatesh Iyer wants to replicate Sourav Gangulys batting styleKKRrsquos Venkatesh Iyer slams one v MI at Abu Dhabi on Thursday PicBCCI IPLPandit who felt that Iyerrsquos ability was being restricted because he was not batting at the top asked the attacking lefthander to open the innings in their Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy match against Goa in January 2021 Pandit was spoton and Iyer scored an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls Furthermore Iyer finished as MPrsquos top rungetter scoring 227 in five games Pandit clearly recalls their chat on the morning of the game against Goa ldquoI wanted him Iyer to play up the order but when I asked him on that morning about opening the innings against Goa he was hesitant He seemed puzzled and uncertain because he had never faced the new ball beforerdquo Pandit told midday from Indore on FridayAlso Read IPL 2021 A night to forget for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight RidersGaining confidenceldquoHe was a bit concerned and afraid about his position in the team but I told him not to worry about that I assured him that I wouldnrsquot mind if he got out early or for that matter even if he got a duck a few times I told him that opening the innings would ensure he gets the full 120 balls to play and thatrsquos a chance to capitalise on and make a big score So with that confidence he batted in that match and scored a fine halfcenturyrdquo added PanditThereafter in March Iyer repeated his good show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he collected 273 runs from just five matches including a fine 198 against PunjabPanditrsquos adviceAnd now that his ward has succeeded in the IPL there is some more advice for Iyer from the former Mumbai and Vidarbha Ranji Trophywinning coach ldquoHe is a good student of the game and has a strong will power too He should back his ability and try to be a consistent performer He should try to finish the innings by remaining not outrdquo said PanditMeanwhile Iyerrsquos father Rajasekaran 66 has credited mum Usha for helping her son balance his studies and cricket Iyer has completed his MBA in Finance and also preliminary examinations in Chartered AccountancyldquoVenkatesh has always given equal importance to both his studies as well as sports and thatrsquos all because of my wife She used to teach him every small thing like how he should behave how he should conduct himself at his classes and how to be respectful to others Whatever good things you observe in Venkatesh itrsquos all because of his motherrdquo said RajasekaranAlso Read Knights squash Royal Challenge