IPL 2025: Aaron Finch questions Venkatesh Iyer’s approach after loss against Gujarat Titans

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch questioned Venkatesh Iyer’s approach after Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a 39-run loss against Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Monday. Iyer trudged to 14 runs from 19 balls and could not find a single boundary and a six in his scratchy knock.

The left-hander joined forces with his captain Ajinkya Rahane after Sunil Narine was dismissed and KKR were struggling at 43-2 in the run-chase of 199. The southpaw struggled to get going against Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore after the Powerplay overs ended.

Iyer’s dismal show was put paid by Sai Kishore as he was caught by Washington Sundar.

“It’s an intent to take it down. You can’t hit a six or a boundary if you are not trying to. If your first instinct is to just knock it to the leg side, and run one, you are on a hiding to nothing. It was just mesmerising, the lack of intent,” Finch said on ESPN Cricinfo.

On the other hand, India’s Cheteshwar Pujara also concurred with Finch and questioned Iyer’s intent with the bat.

“I don’t know when was the time-out, because I also feel that there are times where, as a batter, you feel the conditions a little challenging so you just want to knock it around. But, when you have time out, that’s when the coaches and the support staff, comes in, and then you make another strategy,” Pujara said on ESPN Cricinfo.

“I do agree that Venkatesh didn’t play the role that he should have played, but at the same time, was he told that he just had to knock around when Rashid was bowling? I don’t know what the message was,” Pujara added

Kolkata Knight Riders will next take on Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday.