In their IPL 2023 match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 16th, Venkatesh Iyer smashed his maiden T20 century with a thundering 104-run knock for KKR, becoming the team’s first centurion in 15 years since Brendon McCullum’s iconic 158 in the inaugural season of 2008.
After reaching the three-figure mark, Iyer celebrated with a special gesture towards the KKR dugout and bowed down, while Bollywood superstar and KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan, erupted in joy and clapped from the sidelines.
Although the start to the innings was impressive, with Iyer hitting MI debutant Arjun Tendulkar for a six and a four in his second over, he injured his leg in the fourth over and struggled to run between the wickets.
Despite the lack of support from the other end, Iyer hit five boundaries and nine maximums to reach his maiden IPL century before being dismissed for 104 off 51. KKR ended their innings with 185 for six, riding solely on Iyer’s ton, which is the team’s third-highest score in their 32 IPL matches against Mumbai Indians after 232/2 in 2019 and 187/5 in 2016.
After the innings, Iyer said, “Getting a hundred is even more special. I think the boys will defend this total. I want to play for the team, I am not going to think about the 16th over when I am in the 6th over, just try to focus on the present moment, don’t want to think far too ahead.”