Gautam Gambhir unhappy with the selection of Venkatesh Iyer in ODI Team

Former Indian Cricketer Gautam Gambhir lashed out at Venkatesh Iyer as the latter had a forgettable ODI Series. He had scores of 2 & 22 in the recently concluded 3 Match ODI Series. Venkatesh was drafted into ODI team on the basis of Domestic & IPL performance as he had a dream run in IPL 2021 (*second leg of IPL 2021) when he amassed 370 runs in 10 Matches. Venkatesh replaced the unpredictable Hardik Pandya for New Zealand T20I Series & for South Africa ODI Series.

He was expected to perform well given his past performances in Domestic Circuit (*Vijay Hazare Trophy). In Vijay Hazare Trophy, Iyer scored 379 runs.  Iyer should be given a long rope of at-least 3 series as one series can’t define a batter.. Venkatesh has the spark as exceling in IPL & Vijay Hazare Trophy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Dissapointing with Bat
The scores of Venkatesh in ODI don’t look promising, but he plays an all-rounder which shouldn’t be overlooked. The 27-year-old has a lot to face as he merely has played 10 Matches in ODI format. The upcoming West Indies home series (5^th February) would make it crystal clear whether  Iyer suits for ODI format. West Indies may sound an easy opponent but they are capable of creating a havoc through mercurial performances.

What Gambhir Said

The statement from Champion of 2007 T20 World Cup & 2011 Cricket World Cup Gautam Gambhir is as follows: “I feel he should only be for T20 Cricket because he doesn’t have that the 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 & a completely different beast. 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”

Gambhir’s point of view makes sense of ODI & T20I format which BCCI should monitor as Venkatesh can be a trump card for India in the upcoming Tournaments ( ICC 2022 T20 World Cup & ICC Cricket World Cup 2023). BCCI has a strenuous task of managing work-load of Venkatesh which won’t be easy as India has a jam packed season ahead. If KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) makes Venkatesh as a middle order batter in IPL 2022 then it would be interesting to see how Venkatesh plays to that role.

Gautam Gambhir knows how a champion team forms as he has also seen tough times. Championships are won through All-rounders. India in 2007 T20 World Cup had the luxury of Irfan Pathan, and in 2011 India had the spectacular Yuvraj Singh who was absolutely bang on with the ball. India are looking for a flamboyant all rounder alike to England’s Ben Stokes which may sound a bit too much but in today’s Cricketing World there is no one like Stokes.

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