The Indian cricket team selectors announced the squad for the India-New Zealand home series which will for the first time see Rohit Sharma as the captain. The team has an interesting mix of senior players and has some new faces. One of the new faces that caught the attention of fans and pundits is Venkatesh Iyer. His selection into the team has received applause from most quarters. However, some have expressed doubts if it is too early to launch him into the trenches of international cricket.
Be that as it may, the Indian selectors have given a clear indication as to why Venky has been picked. His primary role is to give India the support of a pace-bowling all-rounder. For years now India has been struggling to find a suitable candidate for this role but for some or other reason, the team has been unable to find one.
Venkatesh Iyer has shown great potential for KKR in IPL 2021
Hardik Pandya was India’s best bet as a fast-bowling all-rounder but his career has been marred with injuries resulting in his inability to bowl. There are few who bring to the table what cricketers like Pandya and Iyer offer. Gavaskar, post-Iyer’s selection, said that he should be given a long rope in the team and should play as a finisher and pace bowling option.
We look at 5 reasons why Iyer’s selection is the way ahead to solve India’s persistent headache with a pace-bowling all-rounder.
1. A world-class batsman
The biggest issue that Kolkata Knight Riders faced this season was their batting line-up not clicking. The middle-order failed to perform in most matches and the matches that the team performed well was due to their openers. Iyer’s opening for them was a gamble which paid off handsomely and he put on 370 runs in 10 games at an average of more than 41. He looked comfortable playing pace and spin from the best in the world and notched up 4 half-centuries.
2. A genuine pacer
Aside from his batting contributions, he also pitched in with handy overs in the middle overs. He picked up 3 wickets and had a respectable economy of 8.11. He does not bowl express pace but is a decent medium pacer with the ability to get the ball to nip back in. With some more work in this department, he is all set to go.
3. A clinical finisher
The Indian squad has far too many anchors and top-order batsmen. What it needs today is someone who can come down the order and finish games off. As Gavaskar also mentioned, Iyer will be a great fit at No. 6 and 7 and should get more chances there. He may have played as an opener in KKR but his strike rate of 130 suggests that he can tonk the ball long and far as a finisher.
4. A long career ahead
Venky is just 26 years old and has got his maiden India call at an excellent time. If he can establish himself in the team with some eye-catching performances, then there is no reason why he shall have not have a long and successful career for India. Therefore, grooming him well today shall solve many of the Indian team’s problems for the foreseeable future.
5. Established ability to play at the highest level
Iyer was playing his first IPL in 2021 but it felt as if he was playing at the top rung level for many years. In his second game against Mumbai Indians, he notched up a half-century. He was undeterred against quality bowlers. He opened the innings with confidence and displayed a great range of shots. He has already established that he belongs to the highest level and from here on, he will only take his game higher.
