IPL 2021: Sunil Gavaskar Lauds KKR's Latest Find; Terms Him As The All-Rounder India Is Looking For

Former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar has showered praise on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman, Venkatesh Iyer. He believes the 26-year-old can be nurtured into the seam-bowling all-rounder that India dearly lacks.

With Hardik Pandya being injured more often than not, India clearly lacks a pace-bowling all-rounder. Shardul Thakur has been on the rise of late and he could potentially be one of the best options. Aside from him, Gavaskar expects Iyer to develop into a force to be reckoned with.

The KKR opener was successful with the bat in his first couple of games before displaying his bowling skills in the game against Delhi Capitals. Eoin Morgan primarily used him in the death overs where the DC batsmen couldn’t get the youngster’s medium-pace balls to the boundary.

“In Venkatesh Iyer, Kolkata have unearthed a player who can be the all-rounder that India is looking for. His bowing is not express, but he gets the yorker right more than not and doesn’t let the batsman slog him.“

“As a batsman, he plays upright, which gets into a great position to play the short ball, and he drives beautifully through the off-side like all left-handers seem to do,” Gavaskar mentioned.

Sunil Gavaskar believes KKR is en route to enter the playoffs

After KKR’s comfortable win over second-placed DC, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs received a huge boost. Since their net run rate is much better than the ones they are clashing with for the fourth spot, they only need to focus on winning their matches.

“Kolkata have done their chances of qualifying for the playoffs no harm after an excellent win in their previous match over the then table-toppers Delhi. It was just that the kind of hard-fought win that can boost a team’s morale and prepare it for sterner battles,” Gavaskar concluded.

Morgan and co. will fight against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Friday to further cement their fourth spot on the points table.

Also Read – IPL 2021: Replacing Shubman Gill Now Is Not Something That KKR Wants To Do – Brian Lara