Venkatesh Iyer Shines for Madhya Pradesh in SMAT 2024 Semifinal
By Sourav Paul
Cricket writer writing stories for true cricket enthusiasts.
Posted: December 13, 2024
Last updated: January 24, 2025
In a thrilling semi-final clash of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders’ new recruit, Venkatesh Iyer, showcased his bowling prowess for Madhya Pradesh against Delhi. The match was held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Madhya Pradesh won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that soon paid dividends. The star of the performance, Venkatesh Iyer, who was recently acquired for a sizable sum by the IPL franchise, came into the attack and made an immediate impact. Iyer managed to secure two critical dismissals in one over, taking the wickets of Delhi’s captain Ayush Badoni and Himmat Singh. This remarkable feat added pressure on the Delhi batting lineup.
Iyer’s bowling figures were impressive as he bowled two overs, conceding just 12 runs while grabbing two vital wickets. These early breakthroughs were crucial in containing Delhi’s power-packed batting order. Also contributing to Madhya Pradesh’s bowling success was Tripuresh Singh, who claimed the early wicket of Yash Dhull, getting him out for just 11 runs.
Delhi, navigating a challenging start, managed to put up a total of 146/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions to their score came from various batsmen: Ayush Badoni with 19 runs, Himmat Singh with 15 runs, Priyansh Arya who scored 29, Mayank Rawat with 24, and Anuj Rawat, who top-scored with 33 runs.
The Delhi bowling attack also tried to make inroads as experienced bowler Ishant Sharma took two wickets, dismissing Madhya Pradesh’s Arpit Gaud and Subhranshu Senapati. At a critical juncture, Madhya Pradesh found themselves at 59/3, requiring another 88 runs from 12 overs to secure a place in the finals.
This semi-final match highlighted the competitive spirit of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, where both teams showcased exceptional cricketing skills. Venkatesh Iyer’s performance not only impressed his team but also justified his high valuation ahead of the IPL season, cementing his status as a promising all-rounder in domestic cricket. As Madhya Pradesh pursued the chase, the match promised an exciting finish.
The outcome of this match is keenly awaited, as both teams had shown potential to outplay each other in different phases of the game. With this performance, Venkatesh Iyer solidified his reputation, drawing attention from both cricket fans and analysts alike for his all-round capabilities.
19:30 IST
