Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir refuses to be skeptical about the 27-year-old Indian player’s fate in the ODI squad as he believes young Venkatesh Iyer should no longer be considered for the Over-50s, only in T20I .
Ayer’s role in the Indian ODI agency has been ongoing over the past few months. With Hardik Pandya sidelined through injury since the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE in October last year, Iyer has been selected for the home series against New Zealand and the ODI Tour of South Africa.
Touted to fill the spot for all-rounder Hardik, Venkatesh batted No. 3 and No. 6 in the T20I for 36 runs on 28 overs, but was asked to pitch in only one inning, and he played in three innings. Finished the game with a score of 1/12.
In the ODI, he played two overs, scored 24 overs in 40 deliveries, and bowled only the second over to finish 0/28 over 5 rounds. His elimination in the final match left his options in the squad baffling, with many questioning his role in India’s preparations for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Speaking to Star Sports after the third ODI, Gambhir believes that Iyer lacks the maturity required of an ODI cricketer and should therefore only be considered for T20I cricket, provided he opens in this format.
“I feel like he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he’s not that mature yet. After only 7-8 IPL matches, he got his chance to play internationally. If you’re going to play IPL show, please play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a whole different ball game, a whole different beast,” he said.
The veteran cricketer also added that if Ayre is still considering ODI, then the Indian management should ask his IPL franchise to play him in the middle.
“Iyer started in the IPL and now he’s playing in the middle. Send him back. If you’re thinking of putting him in ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I think He should only stay in T20, and if he plays in that position in the IPL, it’s only as an opener.”
India will next play a limited series against the West Indies at home, starting on February 6, including three ODIs and as many T20Is as possible.
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
