IND vs NZ: "When I Got Into The Team, I Knew I Wasn't Going To Open." - Venkatesh Iyer On His Role In National Team

Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was fast-tracked into the Indian side. He had a stellar season for Kolkata Knight Riders in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021, and he backed that up with a good show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In a total of nine T20Is, Iyer scored 133 runs and bowled in just four matches before being dropped.

With Hardik Pandya’s comeback from injury, Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was soon removed from India’s plans. In order to make a comeback, the all-rounder performed well for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. The KKR opener is now undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore (NCA).

It Was Communicated To Me That I Will Play The Role Of A Finisher – Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer stated that he knew he would not open the batting for India as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan were already in the squad. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder discussed how head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma have made it clear that he would have to play the finisher’s role for India.

“When I got into the team, I looked at the team and saw three openers already there. Rohit bhai, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were already there. So I knew I am not going to open. And then when I met Rahul sir and he asked me how I used to approach the innings when I used to open and it was communicated to me that I will play the role of a finisher.”

“Whenever someone gives you a new role, they also give you a cushion. That was done. Rohit bhai and Rahul sir told me that I would be given a string of games to try and execute that role. And once you have the captain and coach’s backing, the job becomes all the easier,” Iyer told CricketNext.

I Would Love To Bat 20 Overs And Bowl My Four Overs – Venkatesh Iyer

Iyer believes he was under-bowled during his international career, as he represented India in nine T20Is and two ODIs. He bowled only 14 overs. He bowled only four games in the shorter format, not the entire quota.

“To be honest, I did feel a bit under-bowled. But when I think of it from the captain’s perspective, and I have led my state sides in the past, you know when the five bowlers are doing the job then it is not really necessary to use the sixth bowling option.”

“It’s a great cushion to have but when the five bowlers are doing the job then the captain need not look at the sixth bowling option. And that’s what Rohit bhai did. From an individual point of view, I would love to bat 20 overs and bowl my four overs but that really is not possible.”

Also read: IND vs NZ: “Koi Agar Bol Raha Hai Toh Accha Feel Hota Hai” – Stand-In Skipper Hardik Pandya Responds To Sunil Gavaskar And Ravi Shastri’s T20I Captaincy Remark