IPL 2022: Wanted to give Venkatesh Iyer an option against spin – KKR coach Brendon McCullum explains batting order change

KKR batter Venkatesh Iyer has failed to fire at the full cylinder, as he did in the second phase of the previous season of the IPL, he was moved down the order against Rajasthan Royals at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. Aaron Finch and Sunil Narine did open the innings for KKR but the latter was dismissed early.

In fact, Venkatesh Iyer was given a finisher role by the Indian team management and he was able to grab his opportunities for the national team. KKR head coach Brendon McCullum, who had set IPL ablaze 15 years ago on 18th April, revealed he wanted to give Iyer an option against spin as he is a good player of spin bowling.

However, the left-hander could not grab his opportunity as he was stumped against Yuzvendra Chahal when he pranced down the wicket after scoring only six runs. Iyer’s dismissal triggered a collapse as Chahal took a hat-trick in the same over after he accounted for Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Mavi, and Pat Cummins.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer and Aaron Finch added 107 runs for the second wicket and KKR was ahead in the game when these two were going strong.

Brendon McCullum said in the post-match press conference, “We thought that Narine and Finch at the top was a very good opportunity. We knew that the wicket was going to be good; it was going to be a high-scoring game. We know how Narine plays. Unfortunately, he didn’t face a ball tonight. It can happen sometimes, but Finch and Shreyas Iyer were absolutely brilliant at the top of the order.”

“We wanted to give Venkatesh Iyer an option through the middle against spin in particular – against (Ravichandran) Ashwin and Chahal. He’s a very good player of spin and, with one short side, we wanted to try and maximize that. So, that was the thinking behind it.”

On the other hand, Pat Cummins had another off day as he conceded 50 runs in his quota of four overs. However, McCullum reckons the Australian Test captain bowled well, which doesn’t reflect in the bowling figures.

“I actually thought Pat bowled really well today. He didn’t have a lot of luck and bowled at really key times and pressure moments. Sometimes you have got to look a little bit beyond the figures. Granted, he hasn’t had as much impact as he would like just yet. But we know he’s a quality player and I am sure he will come good in time.”

KKR will now shift base to Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, where they will take on Gujarat Titans on Saturday.