Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Venkatesh Iyer Leads Madhya Pradesh to SMAT 2024 Semis with All-Round Brilliance
Venkatesh Iyer’s stellar all-round performance powered Madhya Pradesh into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 semi-finals with a six-wicket victory over Saurashtra. Iyer took 2 wickets to restrict Saurashtra to 173/7 and then scored an unbeaten 38 in the chase. With 210 runs and 4 wickets in the tournament, Iyer is emerging as a key IPL 2025 leader candidate for KKR.
Kolkata Knight Riders star and one of the most expensive picks in the IPL 2025 auction, Venkatesh Iyer, played a pivotal role in Madhya Pradesh’s six-wicket victory over Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 quarter-finals. Iyer starred with both bat and ball, helping his team advance to the semi-finals.
He first picked up two wickets to restrict Saurashtra to 173/7 in their 20 overs. Iyer’s efforts were critical in containing Saurashtra’s attack, especially after a brilliant 80* by Chirag Jani. Chasing 174, Madhya Pradesh faced little difficulty, with Iyer playing a crucial role in the chase. He remained unbeaten on 38 off 33 balls, guiding his team to victory with four balls to spare.
Alongside Iyer, opener Arpit Gaud contributed with 42 runs off 29 balls. In the final stages, Iyer received support from Harpreet Bhatia, who struck a quickfire 22*, sealing the win. This performance came after Iyer’s stellar form in SMAT 2024, where he accumulated 210 runs and took 4 wickets. His all-round performance solidified his reputation as a key player for both Madhya Pradesh and KKR.
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