A Champion Team Needs To Adapt To All Conditions: Venkatesh Iyer Ahead Of CSK Clash

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made an indifferent start to the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), losing three of their first five matches, sitting at sixth on the points table.

Two of KKR’s three losses have come at home at the Eden Gardens, and one of the biggest stories has been the tussle between the Eden Gardens curator and KKR, with the franchise feeling that they’ve not had home advantage due to the curators not preparing spin-friendly wickets. 

However, ahead of the team’s clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 11 (Friday), Venkatesh Iyer said that a champion team will need to adapt to the conditions in front of them.

"We never look at what is the best condition for us. We prepare ourselves for good conditions of cricket, and that's what professional sport is about," Iyer said. 

"If a team has to be a champion, then it has to understand that in all conditions, you have to have the combination that can do well."

KKR lost their previous clash, against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at home, but that was a contest they could easily have won. KKR were in a winning position chasing 239, but eventually ended up losing by 4 runs. 

But Iyer took positives from the loss against LSG.

Like his side, Venkatesh Iyer has also made a mixed start with the bat in hand, starting with scores of 6 and 3 but posting scores of 60 and 45 in his last two matches.

Speaking of his mindset, he said, “I am at my best when my mindset for the game is right. When my approach towards the game is right, that has got nothing to do with the runs that I scored," he explained. "The benchmark has always been the mindset that I carry, and I feel I am carrying a very good mindset towards the game."

KKR will be aiming to become the sixth to register 3 or more wins in IPL 2025.