"I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket, he doesn’t have that level of maturity yet" - Gautam Gambhir
The former Indian cricketer and the unsung hero of the 2011 ICC World Cup Gautam Gambhir have come up with a statement about Venkatesh Iyer. The 40-year-old feels that the left-handed batsman is not fit for the ODI as India should consider Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav for the middle-order spot.
Shreyas Iyer had a decent outing in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa and has been dropped from the final match due to his lack of contribution with the bat.
Venkatesh Iyer didn't live up to the expectations but was not criticized as this is his first overseas outing for his nation. However, the left-handed all-rounder has been added to the Indian team as a backup player for Hardik Pandya who is yet to recover after his back surgery.
He has been given an opportunity to play international level: Gautam Gambhir
According to Gautam Gambhir, Venkatesh Iyer doesn't have much experience in this format as he often used to play in the T20 format of the game. He also claimed that Venkatesh Iyer should be sent to play in the middle-order and have to spend some time in the crease to know the conditions and situation of the game.
"I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he doesn’t have that level of maturity yet. He has been given an opportunity to play international level after watching him in only 7-8 IPL matches.
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If you are going by IPL performances, then play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a completely different ball game and a completely different beast," Gautam Gambhir said to Star Sports.
"Iyer had opened in IPL, now he is playing in the middle order. Send him back. If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I feel he should be kept for T20s only, that too only as an opener if he plays at that position in IPL," the 40-year-old claimed.