- Venkatesh Iyer’s emergence was a key highlight of the recently concluded T20 series
- Iyer is a big hitter who can bat anywhere unlike Pandya who is more adaptable at the lower middle order
- Iyer’s work ethic makes him one of the most sought after players and India can train him for the next Kapil Dev
There were lots of shining lights in the recently concluded T20 series against West Indies. Apart from Rohit Sharma getting his hold over captaincy instincts, Venkatesh Iyer’s rise as a credible all-rounder was another sensational outcome.
Left his high paying job for cricket
Venkatesh Iyer plays for Madhya Pradesh in India’s domestic circuit. He was born and brought up in Indore. Venkatesh’s domestic debut came at the age of 20 when he wore MP’s jersey for a T20 match against Railways in 2015 in Holkar stadium.
2018 was a game-changing year for Iyer. In 2018, Iyer left a Deloitte job to make his Ranji debut. Up until his Ranji debut, Iyer was known as a pinch hitter who could bowl a bit in domestic cricket. However, Iyer’s work ethic was second to none, and he worked hard on his red-ball skills and stamina. Iyer has starred in 10 Ranji matches for his state scoring 545 runs along with dismissing 7 batsmen.
IPL career and India debut
2021 can be termed as a truly breakthrough year for Iyer. On the back of his average in the late 30s, Iyer was pouched by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2021 season. Iyer was asked to debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 20 September 2021. 3 days later, he scored his first fifty against a strong Mumbai lineup.
Venkatesh Iyer was used as a pinch hitter by KKR management. Since he is also a technically sound batsman, he was asked to open the batting. His big hittings changed the course of the tournament and enabled KKR to reach the finals. Iyer’s dream runs continued in the final as well him scoring 50 in a stupendous opening partnership of 91.
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Now, Iyer was on selectors’ radar as they were looking for a replacement for injury-prone and indisciplined Hardik Pandya. Venkatesh was asked to stay with India’s T20 world cup team as a net bowler. His impressive showdowns forced selectors to select him for the T20 series against New Zealand.
A temperamentally sound cricketer
Due to his debut match, Iyer was seen as a weak link by the Kiwis and they were looking to attack him. However, Iyer gave them no chance and returned with an abysmally low economy rate of 4 in the match. 2 months later, Iyer made his ODI debut against South Africa.
Iyer’s first international triumph came in the recently concluded T20 series against West Indies. Despite being asked to bat at number 6, Iyer did not disappoint. Iyer scored 24 not out in 13 balls, 33 in 18 balls and 35 not out in 19 balls in three matches. He also took key wickets of Jason Holder and Kieron Pollard in the series.
Iyer is versatile
Apart from his talent, Iyer’s still head makes him one of the most potent players in cricket. While batting, you may find him reckless and a slogger, but it’s all well thought and calculated hitting. He has his earmarked areas of hitting and if he is not getting runs, Iyer innovates as good as anybody playing the game.
Besides his hitting, Iyer’s adaptability makes him a better option than Pandya or anybody else. He can clear infields like Sanath Jayasurya, and he can hit it like Kapil Dev down the order. Additionally, if you ask him to steady the sheep, he would be the first one to raise his hands for this responsibility.
Iyer’s bowling
Bowling is said to be one chink in his armoury, however, he does not hold back in that department as well. In a total of 45 matches in his career, Iyer has taken 36 wickets, which is handy for a player known as a batting all-rounder.
In one of the tense moments of the second T20 against West Indies, Iyer, a newbie asked Rohit to allow him to bowl in front of the hardest hitters of the game. When he was asked to bowl in the third match, he was clobbered for six of the very first ball, but Iyer took responsibility and came back with two key wickets in his kitty.
India moving past Hardik Pandya
India has now moved ahead of Hardik Pandya. The team is now looking for someone who could take responsibility for his performance. If Iyer’s recent performances and disciplined approach are to go by, he is better than Hardik Pandy. Experts are also rating him ahead of the injury-prone Barodian.
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Ever Since Kapil Dev hanged his boots, India has been searching for his replacement. Pandya was once touted as the next Kapil. However, he came nowhere close to matching even the work ethic of Kapil. Venkatesh has talent, concentration and an unmatchable work ethic. He is the war horse India can hone as the next Kapil Dev.