Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan To Stay Back In UAE To Join As India's Net Bowlers For T20 World Cup 2021 – Reports

Delhi Capitals (DC) speedster Avesh Khan and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Venkatesh Iyer have been asked by the BCCI to stay on in the UAE after the completion of the IPL 2021. Both DC and KKR will face-off in the second qualifier of the tournament on October 13 in Sharjah with the winner to clash with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final of the tournament in October 15.

Avesh Khan and Venkatesh Iyer both will be joining Jammu and Kashmir sensation Umran Malik as the net bowlers for the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2021. Malik has already impressed one and all with his pace, sending down the fastest delivery of the IPL 2021 at 154 kmph and regularly clocking over 150 kmph in the glimpse that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) gave us.

However, both of them will not be part of the list of standby players, which currently includes Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar, though India – like the other teams – has until October 15 to make changes to their final squad for the competition.

Avesh Khan has been one of the stars for the Delhi Capitals in this IPL 2021, picking 23 wickets in 15 matches with an economy rate of 7.50. He has bowled at a good pace and has also been impressive with his consistency. The speedster can also be shifted to the reserves if the team management wants.

Venkatesh Iyer Surprise Pick As Net Bowler For India Team

Venkatesh Iyer caught everyone’s eyes when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) went with him as their opener and gave him the license to go after the bowling to maximize the playoffs and he did just that. His inclusion in the list of “net bowlers” came as a bit of a surprise, primarily because while he bowls seam-up, it is as an opening batter for Kolkata Knight Riders that he has made a name.

He has so far scored 265 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 123.25. He has also picked up three wickets in 7.3 overs – including 2 for 29 in a league match against Delhi Capitals – while returning an economy rate of 8.53.

It might also be the case that Iyer might have been asked to stay back as cover for all-rounder Hardik Pandya who has not bowled a single ball in the entire IPL 2021 due to issues with his back and shoulder. If the BCCI decided not to go with Hardik as just a pure batsman, then Iyer can come into the slot as the make-shift all-rounder.

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