Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that the 27-year-old all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer should only be considered for the T20 International cricket.

Venkatesh Iyer, who got the limelight during his stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the second half of the Indian Premier League 2021, has already made his India debut in T20I and ODI cricket.

He made his T20I debut against New Zealand at home and he scored 36 runs off 28 balls in the series, he got the opportunity to bowl only in one innings and he bagged 1 wicket. His ODI debut came against South Africa, where he scored 24 runs of 40 balls in two games before being left out for the final game. Also, he only bowled in one match, where he gave away 28 runs in 5 overs.

Speaking to Star Sports, Gambhir said that Iyer doesn’t have the maturity to play One Day International cricket and if Indian management is going by his IPL performances then he should only be considered for T20I cricket.

“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,” he said.

If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order – Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian cricketer further highlighted that Venkatesh Iyer opens the innings for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League and India are playing him in the middle-order. Gambhir opined that if Indian team management wants Iyer to play ODI cricket then they should ask KKR to play Iyer in the middle-order in the IPL.

“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.”

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