Key Points

Aaron Finch didn't hold back in criticizing Venkatesh Iyer's passive batting against spin during KKR's failed chase. The former Aussie skipper called out Iyer's lack of intent, emphasizing the need for aggression in T20 cricket. Shubman Gill's explosive 90-run innings proved decisive as GT defended 198 comfortably. KKR's puzzling batting approach leaves them languishing at 7th in the standings while GT maintain their dominance at the top.

Key Points: Aaron Finch Slams Venkatesh Iyer's Lack of Intent Against Spin in IPL

  • Finch questions Iyer's timid approach against spin
  • KKR's batting strategy backfires in 200-run chase
  • Gill's 90-run knock powers GT to victory
  • KKR slip to 7th after 5th loss in IPL
3 min read

Need to have an intent to take it down: Aaron Finch on Venkatesh Iyer's struggle against spin

Aaron Finch criticizes Venkatesh Iyer's passive batting approach against spin as KKR crumble in IPL chase against Gujarat Titans.

"You need to have an intent to take it down. You can't hit a six if you're not trying to. – Aaron Finch"

New Delhi, April 22

Former Australia skipper Aaron Finch took a dig at Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) left-hand batter Venkatesh Iyer for his lack of intent during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Venkatesh came out to bat at number four in the sixth over when the Knight Riders' score was 43 for the loss of two wickets. The southpaw struggled against the spinners and was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just 14 runs off 19 balls.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo's Time Out about the 30-year-old's performance, Finch said, "You need to have an intent to take it (spin) down. You can't hit a six or a boundary if you're not trying to, if your first instinct is to just knock it into the leg side and run one. Then you're on a hiding to nothing and it was just mesmerising, the lack of intent," Finch said on ESPNcricinfo's Time Out.

The defending champions, KKR, went with nine batters in the 39th encounter of the ongoing cash-rich league but were unable to chase down the target of 199 runs at their home ground.

Speaking on Kolkata's batting, the former World Cup-winner noted, "They had nine batters in their team," Finch said. "That automatically tells me they are going to be ultra aggressive at the start, try to get up to or ahead of the [required] run rate, so that when the wicket deteriorates, there's room for error. For me, that was just a poor calculation of how to go about a run chase of 200. There are nine batters, you don't need to rebuild anything."

"The game was over after ten [overs], wasn't it? They just let the required run rate get so far out of hand. It was so strange to watch them just trying to knock it around. Very, very strange innings. They went out with the attitude not to lose by 100 runs. It was almost like, 'You know what, let's get 160, and we'll walk off. We'll be okay with that.' That was a horrible batting display," the former opener added.

Coming to the match, KKR won the toss and opted to bowl first.

A 114-run stand between Sudharsan (52 in 36 balls, with six fours and a six) and Gill, who went to scored 90 in 55 balls, with 10 fours and three sixes, served as a solid foundation for a big score. Then a 58-run stand between Gill and Jos Buttler (41* in 23 balls, with eight fours) took GT to 198/3 in their 20 overs.

Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, and Andre Russell got a wicket each for KKR.

During the run-chase, KKR, except for their skipper Ajinkya Rahane (50 in 36 balls, with five fours and a six), failed to put up much of a fight as superb spells from Prasidh Krishna (2/25) and Rashid Khan (2/25) reduced them to 159/8 at the end of their 20 overs.

Gill was given the 'Player of the Match' for his knock of 90 runs.

KKR have slipped to the seventh spot with three wins and their fifth loss, while GT maintained their supremacy at the top with six wins and two losses, giving them 12 points.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finch is spot on about the intent issue. Venkatesh looked completely clueless against spin yesterday. When you're chasing 200, you can't be taking 19 balls for 14 runs! 😬
P
Priya M.
I think Finch is being a bit harsh here. Venkatesh has been decent this season overall. One bad innings doesn't define a player. The whole team collapsed, not just him.
A
Amit S.
KKR's batting strategy was baffling. Nine batters but no aggression? Finch nailed it - they played like they were content with 160. Shocking approach from the defending champs!
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Sneha P.
Gill was absolutely brilliant though! 90 off 55 balls 🔥 That's how you chase big totals. KKR could learn a thing or two from his intent and shot selection.
V
Vikram J.
While I agree with Finch's analysis, I wish he'd acknowledge that Rashid Khan is a world-class spinner. Sometimes it's not just lack of intent - quality bowling deserves credit too.
N
Neha R.
KKR's middle order has been their Achilles heel all season. They need to sort this out fast if they want to make playoffs. Venkatesh needs to step up or make way for someone else.

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