Venkatesh Iyer should only be considered for T20Is – Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir reckons Venkatesh Iyer should only be considered for the T20Is. Gambhir feels Venkatesh Iyer doesn’t yet have the maturity for the 50-overs format.

Iyer was given his chance in the first two ODIs against South Africa but he could not deliver the goods with the bat as he scored only 24 runs in the two games and bowled only in one inning but went wicketless.

Iyer had hogged the limelight when he impressed while opening the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021. The southpaw scored 370 runs in 10 matches at an impressive average of 41.11 and played a key role in taking KKR to the final of the tournament.

Gambhir reckons Iyer had done well in the IPL while opening the innings and thus he should be given opportunities at the top of the order in the T20I format. Iyer was asked to bat at number six in the ODI series against the Proteas but he could not grab his opportunities.

“I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he doesn’t have that level of maturity yet. He has been given an opportunity to play international level after watching him in only 7-8 IPL matches. If you are going by IPL performances, then play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a completely different ball game and a completely different beast,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports.

“Iyer had opened in IPL, now he is playing in the middle order. Send him back. If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I feel he should be kept for T20s only, that too only as an opener, if he plays at that position in IPL.”

Meanwhile, it should be noted that Venkatesh Iyer performed well in the Vijay Hazare trophy while playing for Madhya Pradesh. The left-hander scored 379 runs in six matches in the tournament at an average of 63.16 and thus deserved his chance in the ODI team.

Iyer is still young in his career and there is no doubt that he will learn from experience. The 27-year old has shown the right skills and he will look to grab his chances in the upcoming matches.

India will next take on West Indies in the limited-overs series.