Kolkata : India and Kolkata Knight Riders left handed Batter Venkatesh Iyer has joined English County side Lancashire for 5 weeks to play in One Day Cup and 2 rounds of County Championship.
Iyer will make his debut against Kent for Lancashire from July 28 , and will be back in India in 1st week of September to play Duleep Trophy.
Philip Salt, Iyer’s Kolkata Knight Riders teammate recommended his name to the County side.
Iyer had a prolific IPL season with the Bat , and played vital role in helping KKR win their 3rd IPL Cup.
Venkatesh Iyer on Joining Lancashire :
Iyer, will join the club of Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman who played for the side in past.
“I am incredibly excited to head over to England and to have the opportunity to play county cricket for the first time in my career.
Lancashire is a very historic county with a long history of welcoming Indian players to their Club.
I am looking forward to emulating the likes of Farokh Engineer, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and most recently Washington Sundar in wearing the Red Rose colours at Emirates Old Trafford,” Venkatesh stated.
He joined the club to test his skills across different formats in English conditions.
“To test my skills in both one-day and first-class cricket in English conditions is going to really benefit my game.
I hope that I can entertain the fans and help my Lancashire teammates to achieve their targets in both formats this summer”, concluded Iyer.
Lancashire Team Director Mark Chilton’s take on Venkatesh Iyer inclusion :
Lancashire team director Mark Chilton stated their delight to sign Iyer. Iyer’s KKR teammate Philip Salt recommended his name to the county club during the IPL 2024.
“This is a deal we have worked hard to complete, and I am really pleased to welcome Venkatesh to the Club.
He comes highly recommended after playing alongside Phil Salt during this year’s IPL and we are excited to see what he can bring to our side during the next month”, stated Mark.
He said Iyer will bring experience to Lancashire during One Day Cup, which is basically a young side. Iyer would also provide explosive Batting and bowling option in the team.
“Venkatesh will add experience to a young side during the One-Day Cup, whilst providing an explosive batting option in the middle-order and another seam bowler that we can turn to with the ball”, said Mark.
Venkatesh Iyer’s stint with the club
Mark clarified that Iyer will be available till the end of August, playing the championship matches against Hampshire and Surrey. After that he’s to join Duleep Trophy starting from September 5.
“He will also be available for our County Championship matches against Surrey and Hampshire towards the end of August and gives us another high-quality overseas option to select from”, the team director concluded.
Venkatesh Iyer, an in form player, will thus be a huge part of the Lancashire side.
