Venkatesh Iyer Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
In the last few years, Indian cricket has seen the rise of many young stars who have changed the game with their skills and approach. Especially in the IPL, one name that has caught a lot of attention is Venkatesh Rajasekharan Iyer, commonly known as Venkatesh Iyer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium fast bowler. But these days he is considered one of the most promising all-rounders in Indian domestic and franchise cricket.
Born on December 25, 1994 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Venkatesh has an interesting story to tell. At the age of 30, he has made a name for himself in cricket by striking a balance between intelligence and sportsmanship.
Know more about his journey with statistics, personal life and achievements in this blog.
Early Life And Education  Â
Venkatesh was always a bright student. Cricket was not his first choice. In fact, academics dominated his early years. Initially, he was preparing to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), a career that promised him financial stability and glory. However, balancing his cricketing schedule with the demands of CA studies became increasingly difficult. Eventually, he changed his path to opt for an MBA in finance.
This decision paid off when he got a job at the prestigious consulting firm Deloitte in 2018. For many, it would have been the perfect destination. But Venkatesh had a bigger dream, cricket. With a strong determination, he left the safety net of a corporate job to pursue success on the cricket field.
Domestic Cricket Journey  Â
Venkatesh made his white-ball debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2015 and gradually climbed the domestic ladder. His Ranji Trophy debut came in 2018, and he began to attract attention with his ability to contribute with both batting and bowling.
His real breakthrough came in the 2020-21 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he played two unbeaten innings of 87 and 88. He ended the tournament with an excellent average of 75.66 and a strike rate close to 150. This was the first indication of his ability to play aggressively and under constant pressure.
In the next Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 198 runs off 146 balls against Punjab, a match that put him on the national radar. His talent was further displayed by scoring against bowling attacks like Sandeep Sharma and Mayank Markande. This innings was a turning point that earned him an IPL contract.
IPL Breakthrough with KKRÂ Â Â
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought Venkatesh in 2021 for a base price of ₹20 lakh. The following season was a dream come true. Promoted to open the innings, he scored 370 runs in the top order, showcasing his fearless approach. His ability to combine aggressive batting and smooth medium-pace bowling made him a valuable asset.
His IPL success was so impressive that he was selected as the net bowler for Team India in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Shortly after, he made his T20I debut and then ODI debut in South Africa in 2022.
Recognizing his potential, KKR retained him ahead of the 2022 season, increasing his salary to ₹8 crore, a 40-fold increase from his previous contract. This retention highlighted his importance in the franchise’s plans.
Career  Stats Â
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 22 | 12.00 | 40 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 9 | 7 | 3 | 133 | 35* | 33.25 | 82 | 162.19 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| FC | 28 | 46 | 3 | 1658 | 174 | 38.55 | 2409 | 68.82 | 2 | 12 | 161 | 40 | 11 | 0 |
| List A | 53 | 50 | 10 | 1568 | 198 | 39.20 | 1551 | 101.09 | 4 | 5 | 117 | 50 | 23 | 0 |
| T20s | 135 | 119 | 33 | 3038 | 104 | 35.32 | 2159 | 140.71 | 1 | 17 | 283 | 124 | 52 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 2 | 1 | 30 | 28 | 0 | – | – | – | 5.60 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 9 | 4 | 55 | 75 | 5 | 2/23 | 2/23 | 15.00 | 8.18 | 11.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 28 | 30 | 1212 | 575 | 17 | 3/28 | 3/33 | 33.82 | 2.84 | 71.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 53 | 37 | 1083 | 1020 | 27 | 3/55 | 3/55 | 37.77 | 5.65 | 40.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 135 | 67 | 961 | 1234 | 49 | 6/20 | 6/20 | 25.18 | 7.70 | 19.6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Comeback  Â
In 2023, Venkatesh returned, initially focusing solely on batting. The introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL worked in his favour. Without bowling a single ball, he still managed to shine with the bat for KKR, including his maiden T20 century.
By the 2023–24 domestic season, Venkatesh had regained his full fitness. He was doing everything from bowling regularly to contributing heavily with the bat in the Ranji Trophy. He scored around 550 runs in the Ranji season and consistently took wickets across all formats.
In the 2024 IPL season, he played a vital role in KKR’s title-winning campaign, scoring runs at a strike rate of over 158.
Playing Style and Strengths  Â
Venkatesh Iyer is often compared to all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, as he can contribute with both bat and ball. However, his style is unique:
- Batting: A naturally aggressive left-handed batsman, Venkatesh is fearless at the crease. He loves to take on bowlers during the powerplay, making him a strong top-order option. His ability to play spin and pace equally gives him versatility.
- Bowling: Although he is not a clear fast bowler, his medium pace adds balance to the team. He often breaks partnerships with clever variations.
- Fielding: Agile and tall, his fielding is an added bonus.
His adaptability is one of his greatest strengths. Whether he is an opener or a middle-order finisher, he can adjust his game according to the team’s needs.
Achievements So Far  Â
- IPL 2021 success: 370 runs in debut season.
- India call-up: T20I and ODI debut in 2022.
- KKR retention: Retained for ₹8 crore in 2022.
- First T20 century: Achieved in IPL 2023.
- Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Scored around 550 runs and took important wickets.
- IPL 2024 champion with KKR: A key contributor with four half-centuries.
These achievements make him one of the most exciting prospects for India’s future all-rounder role.
Future Prospects  Â
As the cricket world continues to evolve, an all-rounder like Venkatesh is invaluable. His ability to balance aggressive batting and useful bowling gives him an edge in the white-ball format. If he remains injury-free and consistent, there is no doubt that he will once again be a contender for a regular place in the Indian team.
Conclusion Â
Venkatesh Iyer’s journey from Deloitte to the cricket stadium is inspiring. It is a testament to passion, determination and the courage to take risks. His performances in domestic cricket and the IPL have established him as one of India’s most promising all-rounders.
His story is not just about cricket but also about life, reminding us that it is never too late to follow your passion and create your own destiny.
Also Read: Tilak Varma Stats, Debut, Age, Jersey No, Career, IPL Team, Price
FAQs Â
Q1. Who is Venkatesh Iyer?
Venkatesh Iyer is an Indian all-rounder from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He is a left-handed batsman who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and has represented India in ODIs and T20Is.
Q2. What is the educational background of Venkatesh Iyer?
He initially studied Chartered Accountancy but later completed an MBA in Finance. He also worked with Deloitte before choosing cricket full-time.
Q3. When did Venkatesh Iyer enter the IPL?
Venkatesh Iyer entered the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021 and scored 370 runs, making his debut season a great one.
Q4. What are some of Venkatesh Iyer’s major achievements?
His major achievements include 198 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and his maiden T20 century in IPL 2023. Furthermore, he was retained by KKR for ₹8 crore, and played a key role in KKR’s title-winning season of 2024.
Q5. What makes Venkatesh Iyer unique as a cricketer?
It is not his cricketing skills but his educational background and decision to leave a corporate job at Deloitte to play cricket that sets him apart. He combines intelligence and sportsmanship, making him a rare combination in modern cricket.
