Aaron Finch, Cheteshwar Pujara Question Venkatesh Iyer’s Intent
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has already witnessed some thrilling matches, and the latest installment was no exception. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against Gujarat Titans (GT) in ahigh-stakes encounter, but ultimately, it was the latter who emerged victorious by 39 runs. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for KKR, and their players were left to ponder what went wrong.
Two of the most experienced players in the KKR camp, Aaron Finch and Cheteshwar Pujara, were particularly critical of Venkatesh Iyer’s performance. Iyer, who has been touted as a promising young talent, struggled to make an impact on the game, and his teammates were left scratching their heads.
“You need to have an intent to take it [spin] down. You can’t hit a six or a boundary if you’re not trying to,” Finch said in a post-match interview, summing up the frustration of his teammates.
Pujara, who was also part of the KKR squad, echoed Finch’s sentiments. “When you’re playing spin, you need to be prepared to rotate the strike. You can’t just hit blindly without any plan,” he added.
The criticism was not directed solely at Iyer, as Finch and Pujara felt that the entire KKR batting unit struggled to adapt to the GT spinners. However, Iyer’s struggles were particularly notable, as he managed to score only 15 runs off 22 balls.
Iyer’s woes were not limited to his batting, as he also struggled in the field. He dropped a crucial catch of David Miller, which could have changed the course of the game. The error proved to be costly, as Miller went on to score a match-winning half-century.
While Iyer’s performance was under the microscope, Finch and Pujara were quick to point out that the entire KKR team was responsible for the loss. “We can’t pinpoint one player and say that they were the reason for the loss. We all had a role to play in this game,” Finch said.
Pujara also emphasized the need for the KKR team to work together to overcome their struggles. “We need to take collective responsibility for our performance. We can’t just blame one player or one department. We need to work together as a team to improve,” he added.
The loss to GT was a bitter pill to swallow for KKR, but Finch and Pujara are confident that their team can bounce back from the setback. “We’ve been in this situation before, and we know how to come back stronger,” Finch said.
Pujara also expressed his confidence in the KKR squad, stating that they have the talent and the experience to make a deep run in the tournament. “We have a great bunch of players, and I’m confident that we can turn things around. We just need to work harder and stick together as a team,” he added.
In conclusion, the loss to GT was a tough pill to swallow for KKR, but Finch and Pujara are confident that their team can overcome the setback. The criticism of Iyer’s performance was not intended to be personal, but rather to highlight the need for the entire team to work together to improve.
As the IPL 2025 continues, KKR will be looking to put their loss behind them and focus on their next match. With a talented squad and a wealth of experience, they have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
