Anil Kumble Urges KKR to Promote Venkatesh Iyer in Batting Order to Revive Form

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer is enduring a rough patch in IPL 2025. Former India head coach Anil Kumble has come forward with a bold suggestion to help revive the all-rounder’s form. Iyer was bought for a hefty price of Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He has failed to justify his price tag so far. Kumble has advised KKR to promote Iyer in the batting order, particularly in the early overs, to allow him to play his natural attacking game.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Struggles in IPL 2025

Iyer’s current performance has been underwhelming. He has scored just 135 runs in six innings at an average of 22.50. Despite a decent strike rate of 139.17, his inability to convert starts into substantial scores has been a concern. The left-handed batter has only managed to cross the 40-run mark twice in this edition, which is far from the form he showed during his breakthrough season in 2021.

In IPL 2021, Iyer impressed with 370 runs from 11 innings, including four half-centuries. However, this season, his struggles have been stark. KKR, the defending champions, find themselves in a tight spot, sitting seventh on the points table with just three wins from nine matches.

Kumble’s Strategic Suggestion

During a recent appearance on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, Kumble discussed KKR’s ongoing challenges and proposed a change in Iyer’s batting position. “Venkatesh needs that pace on the ball. You have six overs, the powerplay, it’s where he can play his natural game and hit over the top. He’s done it in the past, that’s how he got KKR back into the playoffs when they were down and out in Dubai,” Kumble explained.

Kumble further suggested that KKR open with Iyer alongside Sunil Narine, bringing in a wicketkeeper for balance in the team. This would provide Iyer with the early overs, which, according to Kumble, would give him the chance to attack the opposition with the ball coming onto the bat. “They had an opportunity in this game to move Venky right up the order,” Kumble said, acknowledging that such a move could help Iyer rediscover his rhythm.

KKR’s Struggles and Future Outlook

KKR has been battling inconsistency throughout IPL 2025. Despite having a star-studded squad, they have struggled to find the right combination. Their most recent clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) was washed out due to rain, adding to their frustration. With only three wins in nine matches, KKR’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

Iyer’s form has become crucial for KKR, as they seek to turn around their campaign. The franchise had high hopes for the all-rounder, given his explosive performances in previous seasons. However, the current season has seen a stark decline in his output, making Kumble’s suggestion even more pertinent.

KKR’s next match will be against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 29 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This encounter could be pivotal for KKR’s chances of making it to the playoffs. If Iyer takes Kumble’s advice and succeeds in a higher batting position, it could be a turning point for both him and the franchise.

The Bigger Picture: IPL 2025 Challenges for KKR

KKR’s problems go beyond Iyer’s form. The team has been inconsistent with the bat and ball. Despite having big names like Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, they have failed to build momentum. Their reliance on foreign players, coupled with tactical decisions, has also come under scrutiny.

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram