Iyer had played one of the best knocks of his career, but it ended in disappointment
On April 16 2023, the stage was set at Wankhede. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced Mumbai Indians (MI) in a high-pressure IPL clash. But one man stood tall—Venkatesh Iyer. He played an innings to remember, smashing 104 off just 51 balls, laced with six fours and nine sixes. He became only the second player in KKR's history to score a century after Brendon McCullum's iconic knock in 2008. It was a masterclass in power-hitting, timing, and fearless cricket. The bowlers had no answers, and the crowd witnessed something special.
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Iyer walked in early after KKR lost their first wicket for a duck. The pressure was immense, but he showed no hesitation. He stepped out, took on the bowlers, and unleashed a flurry of boundaries. Arjun Tendulkar and Cameron Green bore the brunt of his early assault. Though he didn't middle every shot, his intent was clear—attack, dominate, and push KKR towards a big total. His fifty came in just 23 balls, a mix of precision and brute power.
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For over a decade, KKR had waited for another IPL century. The last one belonged to McCullum in the inaugural 2008 season. Iyer finally broke that drought in style. He launched sixes off Riley Meredith and Duan Jansen, playing with sheer confidence. A six in the 14th overtook him to 94, but then the runs dried up. The bowlers tightened their lines, making boundaries hard to come by. Finally, in the 17th over, he reached his hundred. A wide grin, a bat lift, and a roar from the crowd was a moment of triumph.
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KKR seemed poised for a 200+ total, but Mumbai's bowlers staged a comeback. Piyush Chawla and Hrithik Shokeen applied the brakes. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell while trying to accelerate, and soon after, Nitish Rana's dismissal led to a heated exchange with Shokeen. Rinku Singh, the hero of previous games, couldn't recreate his magic, managing just 18. Andre Russell provided a late flourish with 21 off 11 balls, but Mumbai had done enough damage. KKR ended at 185/6—competitive but not quite enough.
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Thanks to Ishan Kishan's explosive batting, Mumbai's chase began to a flying start. He sent Shardul Thakur to the ropes three times in one over. Umesh Yadav wasn't spared either. When Sunil Narine was introduced, Kishan took him apart, smashing 22 runs in a single over. His fifty came in just 21 balls, setting the tone for the chase. By the time he fell for 58, Mumbai had already gained a strong foothold.
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With Kishan gone, Mumbai's middle order stepped up. Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, struggling for form, found his rhythm. His signature cuts, flicks, and lofted shots flowed freely. At the other end, Tilak Varma took on Narine with a towering six. Mumbai played smart, avoiding unnecessary risks while ensuring the required rate stayed in check. When Lockie Ferguson bowled a full delivery, SKY sent it soaring over fine leg for six. Mumbai's equation kept getting easier.
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KKR needed quick wickets, but Mumbai remained in control. Suryakumar and Tilak forged a crucial 60-run partnership in just over six overs, extinguishing any hope KKR had. Following their dismissals, Tim David applied the finishing touches. His 24 off 13 balls clinched the victory with 14 balls to spare. Mumbai triumphed by five wickets, enhancing their net run rate and sending a strong message to the rest of the league.
