Here’s the rewritten content in English:
Another generation of cricketers is ready to step into the spotlight in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the legendary MS Dhoni still going strong. As the IPL 2025 season kicks off, Venkatesh Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder, has been promoted to the role of vice-captain under the seasoned leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. For Venkatesh, this elevation is a significant milestone, and he has already proven his readiness for the responsibility. Reflecting on his IPL experiences, particularly against MS Dhoni, Venkatesh shared an intriguing anecdote about how Dhoni predicted one of his dismissals with pinpoint accuracy and even explained the reasoning behind a particular field placement.
During the IPL 2023 season, when Dhoni was leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he made an unorthodox fielding change that caught Venkatesh off guard. Dhoni shifted a fielder from deep square leg to a slightly unconventional position at short third man. Unfortunately for Venkatesh, he ended up hitting the ball straight to that fielder on the very next delivery. Curious about the move, Venkatesh later asked Dhoni about his decision, and the CSK skipper provided a detailed explanation.
"Dhoni moved a fielder from deep square leg to short third, positioning him slightly away from where short third usually stands. The very next ball, I hit it straight into that fielder’s hands," Venkatesh recounted in an interview with ESPNCricinfo’s Cricket Monthly. "After the game, I asked Dhoni why he made that move, and he had a proper answer. He was analyzing the impact of the ball off my bat and the angles. His understanding of angles is just incredible. He knew that if I played that particular shot, the ball would go in that direction, so he placed a fielder there. That’s what being proactive is all about. That’s real captaincy—understanding what a batter is doing," he added.
Venkatesh couldn’t help but admire Dhoni’s cunning. "I could have waited a couple of balls, but no, the very next ball, I hit it there (chuckles), and it happened exactly as he predicted. The cameras captured the field change, and the very next ball, I hit it straight to that fielder. It’s up to the batsman to understand why certain things are being done on the field," he said.
Venkatesh made headlines last year when he became the second most expensive player in IPL history, being bought for a staggering ₹23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. Despite his newfound wealth, Venkatesh remains grounded and emphasizes the importance of domestic cricket in shaping his career.
"Domestic cricket is extremely important when it comes to making an impact as an individual player. When I play for Madhya Pradesh (MP), there are players who score heavily at the top, and I often bat in the middle order. A lot of runs have already been scored by then, so my role is to either score a quick 60 runs or steady the ship if there’s a collapse. Domestic cricket has taught me a lot—not just about my game but also about how cricket is played in general. It’s about understanding situations and adapting accordingly," he explained.
Venkatesh believes that his time in domestic cricket has helped him stand out by excelling in both batting and bowling, contributing to his team’s success. "Domestic cricket teaches you how to make an impact in different ways, and that’s something I’ve carried into the IPL," he concluded.
This version maintains the original content’s essence while improving readability and flow.
Stay updated with the latest news! For more information and daily updates, visit ZTC News and ZNews Today.