Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticized the Indian selection committee for choosing Shreyas Iyer above players like Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, and Sanju Samson for the national T20I squad.

Iyer struggled to score in the opening T20I match against the West Indies on Friday, July 29, at Tarouba, Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium.

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer (Image Credits: Twitter)

After left-armer Akeal Hosein struck out Suryakumar Yadav in the fifth over, Iyer entered the batting order. But after facing four deliveries, the right-handed hitter was struck out by quick bowler Obed McCoy in the very next over. Prioritizing the best team combination for the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia was Prasad’s instruction to the Men in Blue.

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer. (Photo: Twitter)

India chose to bat first despite losing the toss and ended up reaching 190/6. India’s top 2 players were skipper Rohit Sharma and seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik. India’s skipper hit an incredible 64 runs off 44 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, while Karthik smashed a magnificent 41 runs off 19 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes.

‘India needs to work on getting right balance’: Venkatesh Prasad

Venkatesh Prasad posted on Twitter, saying, “Some of the selection calls keeping the upcoming World T20 in mind are worth pondering. Shreyas Iyer in T20 cricket when you have Sanju Samson, Hooda and Ishan Kishan in the team is bizarre. With Virat, Rohit and Rahul definite starters ,need to work on getting right balance.”

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer PC- Twitter

In another tweet, Venkatesh Prasad urged Iyer to improve his batting skills in the game’s shortest format. “He is good in 50 over cricket. In T20 cricket, there are better players as of now who can get going from the word go. Shreyas will have to work hard on his skills for T20.” Venkatesh Prasad wrote.

India chose to bat first and ended up scoring 199 for 6 despite Iyer’s failure. After that, the visitors held the West Indies to 122 for 8, winning by a margin of 67 runs. Additionally, India was able to grab a critical 1-0 series lead after five games.

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