IND vs NZ 2021: Have Prepared Myself Mentally To Bat Anywhere: Venkatesh Iyer

Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer reiterated that he is open to bat anywhere in the Indian team’s batting order.

Iyer made his debut against New Zealand in the first T20I and played all three games for India, registering scores of 4, 12* and 20 while batting in the middle-order.

Venkatesh Iyer batted at various positions in his international debut series

He wasn’t used for bowling in the first two matches but did bowl in the final match and dismissed Adam Milne to claim his first wicket in international cricket.

India whitewashed the Black Caps 3-0 in the T20I series after losing to them in the Group 2 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

In the second T20I, Iyer was promoted to bat at No.3 and was also batted at No.5 and 6 in the other two games.

I have prepared myself mentally to bat anywhere: Venkatesh Iyer

Iyer, who opened for KKR in the second leg of IPL 2021, said he is mentally prepared to bat anywhere for India.

“It is always good to contribute in multiple departments. I am an all-rounder, and I need to be ready in all three departments – batting, bowling as well as fielding. I don’t want to focus on the competition part. If I am picked, it’s my duty to perform. As a batsman, I need to be flexible to bat at any position.

“For this, I have prepared myself mentally. Be it opening the innings, No. 3. No 5, or lower down the order, send me, I will score runs. When you are representing your country, you need to play according to the team. You need to put the team first,” Iyer told TimesofIndia.com.

“Whatever challenge comes my way, I will accept it. As a cricketer, I should be ready for everything. If my captain asks me to bowl, I will bowl as many overs as needed and pick wickets. If my captain asks me to bat, I will go to the middle and score as many runs for my team as possible,” he added.

Iyer was the revelation of IPL 2021 and broke into the KKR team with his power-hitting spree against the best bowlers in the world.

Iyer scored 370 runs from 10 innings in the second phase of IPL 2021 at the strike rate of 128.41.

Also Read: ‘Who Is This Kid?’- Ricky Ponting Recalls His First Reaction On Seeing Venkatesh Iyer In KKR Nets