Venkatesh Iyer says he has accepted the role of a finisher in team India.
Venkatesh Iyer’s career has been nothing short of a fairytale. From going unnoticed for several years to getting an India cap in a very short time, it’s been a fruitful journey for the Indian all-rounder. Iyer came into the picture following his blitz IPL 2021 UAE leg. The cricketer accumulated 370 runs in just 10 matches and helped KKR to overturn its fortunes in the tournament.
Soon owing to his brilliant form, Iyer was named in India’s limited-overs squad and now he has been considered as a viable option to replace Hardik Pandya in India’s white-ball team.
For the last two years, Hardik Pandya has struggled a lot to regain his lost fitness, and the all-rounder has consistently failed to pose himself fit. The poor fitness of Hardik has opened doors for Venkatesh Iyer, who is enjoying doing the finishing role in the team.
The Indian management is keen on grooming Iyer as team India’s new finisher and the work has already begun.
Iyer in his recent conversation revealed that he used to play in the middle orders and is completely known to the territory.
“I’ve batted in the middle-order for a long time. I’ve been an opener for just the past two years. Even in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy I batted in the middle order, so it won’t be a new territory for me,” said Venkatesh Iyer.
Iyer further added that he is ready to shape himself into a finisher in team India.
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“I’ve accepted the fact that I’m going to play the role of a finisher for the team, and I’m completely ready for that,” he added.
He opened up on his approach to go about his debut IPL season. He said he didn’t expect too much from him and only intended to enjoy the matches.
“I knew that if I was given the opportunity I’ll do well. But to be very honest, I didn’t expect anything out of me. It was my first season, and I went in with the mindset to enjoy each and every moment in it, irrespective of whatever happens, the numbers, rather than put pressure on myself by expecting too much. I was happier that my team rose from No 7 to ultimately playing in the final.”
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a dismal outing during the India leg of the IPL 2021. The two times IPL champions were hanging in the penultimate position with just two wins from seven matches. However, the turn in fate came when the UAE leg commenced.
KKR eventually rose up and went on to play the final against Chennai Super Kings, scripting one of the most thrilling comeback journey in the IPL.
Venkatesh Iyer is currently on the India tour of South Africa. The all-rounder is named in the ODI squad for the three matches against the Protea nation. Iyer will most likely bat at number 6 and will assume the finisher’s role in the team.
It will be interesting to see how he develops his game plan and goes about it in the upcoming three matches ODI series against South Africa, starting January 19.
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