A look at Venkatesh Iyer’s domestic record would tell you why the Kolkata Knight Riders were keen to pick him ahead of the 2021 season. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has made quite a name with his hard-hitting batting and useful bowling. A T20 batting strike-rate of 137.64 reflects his hitting abilities, while an economy under seven shows he can keep it tight. Kolkata picked him up at the 2021 IPL Auction and he responded by smashing 198 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Punjab in late February 2021.