Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer admitted that he is nowhere close to the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in terms of his skill set to represent the country at the highest level. Iyer made a brilliant comeback after an injury playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023.
There is no doubt that Hardik Pandya is the best all-rounder for India at the moment in the white-ball format of the game. The 29-year-old balances this Indian team perfectly and his form with both bat and ball and his role will be crucial for the Indian team going into the important World Cup year.
Speaking on Sportskeeda, Venkatesh Iyer feels that he has a long road ahead of him to make a comeback into the India team, as he said Hardik Pandya is well on top to seal that spot in the Indian team in the white-ball format and admitted that he working on himself to reach that the level in all three departments of the game.
“In India, there is a problem of plenty. And then when you look at Hardik, he’s got the skills to be India’s top all-rounder. And if I have to cement my place in the 11, I have to be as good as him, which I’m nowhere close to at this point of time.”
“This is the honest truth and I have to accept that. But I’ll be working towards it. And once I’m confident in my bowling, then I think I can contribute to all the departments. It’s just about my bowling which I’m really working hard on,” Venkatesh Iyer said.
Venkatesh Iyer had excellent IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders as he seemed equally comfortable against pace and spin. The all-rounder has been in fine form and could be a handy addition to the Indian team in the future, as he can also bowl some overs in the middle for the Indian team.
I Am Absolutely Not Thinking Of A Comeback – Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer said that he is not thinking about a comeback to the Indian team at the moment, as he doesn’t want to add more pressure on him going forward, and added that he wants to be a 100 per cent fit cricketer, where ever he plays the game, stating that he wanted to do well of Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming domestic season.
“I am absolutely not thinking of a comeback. I played in the Indian team when I didn’t think about it. So I want to keep it that way. The more pressure I add on myself, the more I would go away from my process,” Venkatesh Iyer stated.
“The only thing in mind is to become the 100 per cent fit cricketer that I always was – to bat and bowl in full capacity. And that will happen when I play more and more domestic games. So the current focus is to represent MP. Once I can look in the mirror and say, ‘I am ready to represent India’, only then I’ll think about it,” Venkatesh Iyer added.
Venkatesh has put in the grind on the domestic circuit and made a comeback in the IPL 2023, where he played a few match-winning knocks for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Though he hasn’t bowled a single delivery this year in the cash-rich league and the Indian all-rounder can bowl medium pace which can be handy for the team.