Ajay Jadeja feels Venkatesh Iyer has an edge over other young batters in the Indian T20 squad because of his versatility. Former India batter Ajay Jadeja pointed out that, among pure batters, Venkatesh Iyer is the only one who bowls as well. Further, he can bat in the middle order and open too.
The 27-year-old batting all-rounder impressed in the three-match T20I series in Kolkata against the West Indies. He scored 24*, 33 and 35* at a quick pace, and also chipped in with two wickets in the final T20I.
Ajay Jadeja : Versatile Venkatesh Iyer Is The Only 6th Bowling Option
Praising Venkatesh Iyer, Ajay Jadeja termed him the most versatile player in the Indian team at the moment.
During a discussion, Ajay Jadeja said in this regard: “Venkatesh Iyer seems the only (sixth bowling) option for now. No other pure batter bowls. All others who have come in over the last couple of years have been pure batters. He is the only one who is doing it.”
“If there is the edge that somebody is going to get for bowling alongside batting, then Venkatesh Iyer seems to be the guy. He is actually an opening batsman as well. He can be the third opener if needed. He is your most versatile player at the moment in this Indian side,” said Ajay Jadeja.
Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik added that the promising cricketer had a fabulous series against the West Indies, elaborating; “He has batted brilliantly.
“He has come in at different situations and batted outstandingly well. With the ball today, he showed what he can do, changing up his pace. On a wicket which helped the batters, he still managed to get a couple of important wickets.”
Apart from impressing with the bat, Venkatesh Iyer dismissed Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder to finish with figures of 2 for 23 in the third T20I on Sunday. Although he lost his spot in the ODI squad after just two opportunities, Venkatesh Iyer bounced back strongly in the T20I series against West Indies both with the bat and with the ball.
In three matches in the home series that ended on Sunday with India’s 3-0 whitewash win in Kolkata, Venkatesh Iyer scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 184 with a boundary every 3.6 balls.
He was the second-highest run-getter for India in the contest, after Suryakumar Yadav, and was involved in crucial match-winning partnerships in all three games. He also picked two wickets in two innings at 13.50, bowling 3.1 overs in the series.
Venkatesh Iyer has been retained for the impending three-match series against Sri Lanka that starts from February 24 onwards in Lucknow.
Dinesh Karthik Hopes Shreyas Iyer Who Scored 25 In The 3rd T20I Against Windies Will Get To Play More Matches In The Sri Lanka Series With Virat Kohli Rested
The other Iyer in the Indian team – Shreyas Iyer- also got an opportunity to feature in the playing XI in the third inconsequential T20I, with Virat Kohli being rested.
Speaking about the batter’s cameo, Karthik said: ” I thought Shreyas Iyer looked really good while he batted. The intent with which he came in, his attitude, it just looks good. It is a hard role to fill (No.3 spot).
“I think he will get a good run in the Sri Lanka series. Virat (Kohli) has taken a break. You are talking about the world’s best batter. But he will do a good job, for sure. There is no doubt about it.”
Shreyas Iyer looked in good touch during his 16-ball stay at the crease, scoring 25. He was caught at long-off, trying to take on Hayden Walsh. India won the game by 16 runs to win the series 3-0.
Suryakumar Yadav (65) and Venkatesh Iyer (35*) helped India post a score of 184/5 before an excellent spell from Harshal Patel (3/22) ensured India won the final T20I against West Indies in Kolkata by 17 runs to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep.