Venkatesh Iyer has always been open about the people who’ve supported him along the way. He’s like a wise oracle, eager to share his insights and everything he’s learned from the game. Even after KKR let him go this month, the all-rounder remains as humble as he was when he was still a relatively unknown name outside of Madhya Pradesh cricket circles. When asked to choose his all-time IPL XI, he didn’t think twice before naming MS Dhoni as captain the very same man who imparted one of the most crucial lessons of his career in the dressing room. MS Dhoni’s guidance for Venkatesh Iyer Long before he was selecting Dhoni to lead his dream team, Venkatesh was on the receiving end of a reality check from him. When their paths crossed, Dhoni offered a warning that only someone with extensive experience could give. He told Venkatesh to be prepared for the attention, the noise, the social media frenzy, and the endless accolades that would come rushing in. Most of it, Dhoni cautioned, was designed to distract rather than support the game. Also Read | Did KL Rahul target LSG owner? Opener reveals how captaincy can be draining in franchise cricket Venkatesh has often echoed that advice because it resonated with him at just the right moment. It helped him stay grounded through the ups and downs, especially now as he faces an expected release after a Rs 23.75 crore stint with KKR. Here is what Venkatesh said while speaking to CrickTracker: “I think the first time I met MS, he spoke to me about a lot of things that will come to you now because you have done well in 2-3 games. A lot of blitz will come to you. So many people will want to talk to you. You will get a lot of attention, a lot of social media buzz, everything like that. It is very important to decipher that and your game. Sometimes, that takes over the game. So, that advice was very important for me. He told me to keep my eyes, ears and mind open. The more you learn, the more you will be able to enjoy the game and learn from it as well,” Not too long ago, Venkatesh was just a trial player for KKR during the middle of IPL 2021. Remarkably, he played a key role in helping KKR reach the finals. From that pivotal moment to the final against Dhoni’s CSK, he quickly made a name for himself and soon made his India debut. His overall stats reflect his worth: 1468 runs from 62 matches at a strike rate of 137, including a hundred and twelve fifties. While KKR hasn’t utilized his bowling much, Venkatesh has long been seen as the next big thing in pace bowling all-rounders.