IND vs SA: Don't Think The Team Is Looking At Him As An All-Rounder - Former Cricketers On Venkatesh Iyer

Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was handed his debut cap in the first ODI of the 3-match series against South Africa. However, he wasn’t given a single over to bowl in the South African innings.

This decision came as quite a shock to former cricketers, Gautam Gambhir and Aakash Chopra, who believe that the team is looking at him as a batter. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), however, Iyer was predominantly used as an all-rounder.

“You could’ve given him 5-6 overs and see how he is bowling because you’re looking at him as an all-rounder,” Gambhir said. In response, Chopra mentioned, “I don’t know, it seems only you and I are looking at him that way.”

Venkatesh Iyer wasn’t bowled as much in home T20I series against New Zealand

Iyer was part of the 3-match T20I series against New Zealand at home right after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the UAE. In a similar manner, he was underused by Rohit Sharma, despite his credentials as a bowler.

“Because when the T20Is were there (against New Zealand), Rohit Sharma was the captain. It was a home series against New Zealand and you didn’t hand him the ball in the first two matches.“

“We kept on waiting. That happened when others were conceding 10 runs per over. Here, 44 overs are already gone (Iyer didn’t bowl till the end of the innings) and you haven’t given him an over. I don’t think the team is looking at him in that manner,” Chopra added.

South Africa set a target of 297 for the visitors, with Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen notching up their centuries.

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