IPL 2021 | Brendon McCullum allows us to be ourselves, which is good for players, says Venkatesh Iyer
Kolkata Knight Riders opening batsman Venkatesh Iyer revealed that there is no extra pressure from head coach Brendon McCullum during the net sessions, and that the former New Zealand captain allows the players to be the best versions of themselves. KKR will take on MI in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Venkatesh Iyer sizzled with the bat on his IPL debut, striking a brisk 27-ball 41* against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday in Abu Dhabi. The highlight of his strokeplay was its wide range, mixed with fluent drived and audacious reverse sweeps. The Indore-born has played 38 T20s for Madhya Pradesh till date, in which he accumulated 724 runs at an average of 36.20 with a highest of 88 not out.
Iyer credited KKR head-coach Brendon McCullum for the constant motivation, and stated that the former New Zealand skipper doesn't put any sort of pressure on his players.
āIt is always good to see McCullum, and I am really excited to bat as heās going to watch," Iyer said in a video posted by KKR on their Twitter handle. "There is no such pressure when he is right behind the nets. He is not a coach that puts a lot of pressure on us. He allows us to be what we are, and play the cricket that gives us maximum satisfaction. So I think thatās good for players like us.ā
Is there extra pressure when @Bazmccullum is watching you bat from behind the nets?
ā KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 23, 2021
Venkatesh Iyer answers! š#AmiKKR #KKR #IPL2021 #KorboLorboJeetbo #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/B0BYoLtGiA
Iyer further resinstated that the aggression didn't stem with the realization of McCullum being around, but the fact that the New Zealand great knows how to handle players, and allows them to be themselves.
āSee the best quality about someone aggressive is he knows how to handle situations and players. So, I guess, he just lets us be ourselves and thatās going to work,ā he said.
KKR are currently placed sixth in the points table, with three wins from eight games. They'll take on Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 23.