One of the most interesting, comprehensive and confidence fuelled-innings came to light last evening in what was a super weekend in the life of the IPL. Particularly of good note from an RCB side was that experienced left hander who hadn’t made much of a noise up to the point but that’s when things changed. And fore the better. Venkatesh Iyer played a brilliant, mad innings of 73 that came off just 40 deliveries, very vital runs that came in a winning cause. But to hit a half century is one thing and to hit it it in a winning cause is quite other and then to have starred with a brilliant knock against dominant team such as PBKS is something special. Wouldn’t you agree?

Which perhaps explains the kind of regard, App appreciation, and plots that Venkatesh is receiving from all ends? To a team that has a legend in the form of Virat Kohli up the order, a dangerous Phil salt who usually opens the innings and a big hitter the form of Tim David. you don happen to need clinical finishers like Venkatesh Iyer also in your midst, don’t you? Riddled with eight boundaries in four sixes and a commanding strike rate that was north of 180, Venkatesh Iyer’s brilliant innings got the RCB over the line, and this was an important and special result especially in the context of the team wanting to make it to the play-offs stage. Now that they have done that and in becoming the first team to do so (where IPL 2026 is concerned), the feeling is upright, one fuelled with confidence and signalling an uppity vibe in the RCB camp.  

Scoring around 30 percent of the entire Bengaluru side’s runs all on his own, 73 of the 222, Iyer is making quite some news at a time where the Playoffs are set in the imminent future of this competition. But upon the conclusion of his inning, the Indore born batter had some heartening insights to share about talents whom he credited for his knock. An incredible one at that.

And his genuine regard for the same was evident in his kind words. The following is what he happened to share-

“I have two people who are amazing communicators - one is Virat Kohli & other is Dinesh Karthik - both of them kept helping me throughout the innings".

What Venkatesh Iyer means is quite simple—he’s saying that his great innings wasn’t just because of his own batting, but also because of the support he got from experienced players like Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik. Both of them kept talking to him during the innings, giving him advice, helping him stay calm, and guiding him on what to do in different situations. Their experience helped him make better decisions while batting, which played a big role in turning his knock into a match-winning one for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings.