Gautam Gambhir has THIS Scathing Verdict on Venkatesh Iyer After Poor Show in South Africa

Venkatesh Iyer failed to live up to expectations in the three-match ODI series against South Africa as he struggled for impact with both bat and ball.

Venkatesh Iyer . (Image credit: BCCI Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Jan 25, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Venkatesh Iyer was touted for big things in the Indian cricket team after his performances in IPL 2021. The all-rounder, who impressed for Kolkata Knight Riders, got an opportunity in the series against New Zealand as well as the tour of South Africa. However, things did not go smoothly for Venkatesh Iyer. In the three Twenty20 Internationals that he played, he managed just 36 runs. During the South Africa ODI series, Venkatesh Iyer managed just 24 runs and bowled in only one game. He was dropped from the Indian cricket team for the final match in Cape Town.

The year 2022 and 2023 are vital for the Indian cricket team. There is the ICC World T20 2022 in Australia. But, in 2023, India are hosting the ICC World Cup at home. With the jinx in recent ICC tournaments still fresh in many people’s minds. With Hardik Pandya recovering from injury, Venkatesh Iyer was touted as his backup. But, in the last five matches, Venkatesh Iyer’s lack of experience and maturity has been witnessed by many.

Gautam Gambhir makes this verdict on Venkatesh Iyer

Gautam Gambhir, who was part of the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 World Cup-winning sides, has said Venkatesh Iyer needs to focus only on Twenty20 International cricket.

Read – Indian cricket team on cusp of history in Johannesburg

“I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he doesn’t have that level of maturity yet. He has been given an opportunity to play international level after watching him in only 7-8 IPL matches. If you are going by IPL performances, then play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a completely different ball game and a completely different beast. Iyer had opened in IPL, now he is playing in the middle order. Send him back. If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I feel he should be kept for T20s only, that too only as an opener if he plays at that position in IPL,” Gambhir told Star Sports.

Venkatesh Iyer had a breakthrough IPL 2021, scoring 370 runs in 10 innings. It was his efforts that helped Kolkata Knight Riders reach the final. Although they lost to Chennai Super Kings in the final, Venkatesh Iyer was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise. With the three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies starting on February 6, Venkatesh Iyer might be given one last chance to impress.





Related Post

HIGHLIGHTS

Buzzwords