Venkatesh Iyer created an impact with his all-around performance in the just ended T20I series between India and the West Indies. Iyer scored 92 runs and claimed two wickets while batting at number six. According to former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer, the 27-year-old is currently dominating the battle to become the team’s first-choice allrounder, even ahead of Hardik Pandya.
“At this stage, I feel he’s a little bit ahead because you don’t know if Hardik Pandya is bowling now or how fit he is. Obviously, how Hardik Panya performs in the IPL will be crucial, but at this moment in time, Venkatesh Iyer is ahead of Hardik Pandya,” Jaffer remarked on ESPNcricinfo.
Jaffer was astonished by how successfully Iyer has adapted to the job of a finisher, given that he originally earned a name for himself as an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021. “I’m shocked by how well he’s doing as a No. 6 batter. We’ve seen him as an opener, but for him to come out and adjust so effectively as No. 6 and finish games is incredible. Plus, with the manner he’s bowled, he’s taken a couple of crucial wickets. He obviously provides [India] a competitive advantage going into the World Cup,” Jaffer remarked.
In the absence of Pandya, who is fighting physical issues, India has been looking for a seam-bowling allrounder. Iyer has made a compelling argument for himself in occupying that position.
India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, is glad that Iyer has accepted the challenge and improved.
“I understand he (Iyer) plays a different job (opener) for his IPL club, but we’re pretty clear about what sort of function we envision him performing in our circumstance… Obviously, our top three isn’t truly a slot, since these people have established themselves and have performed admirably in the top three, ” on Sunday, Dravid stated.
“So we challenged him, and we gave him the task of batting in that position. He’s become better every time he’s improved. That’s quite encouraging,” he continued.
