All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer’s bowling is crucial for the team, says Rohit Sharma.
India vs New Zealand T20I: Team India whitewashed the Kiwis in the iconic Eden Gardens, last night, despite challenging themselves going against the odds in the match. Rohit Sharma and Co thrashed New Zealand by three-nil in the three matches T20I series.
After going up in the first two matches, chasing the total, Rohit Sharma again won the toss and elected to bat first to see how the team performs in challenging situations. Indian’s posted a massive total of 184 in the loss of seven wickets, in reply to which, New Zealand could only score 111 in 17.2 overs.
One of the talking points of the game was Venkatesh Iyer’s all-rounder performance. He contributed with 20 runs from 15 balls at the end and also remained economical with his tidy spell of bowling.
Iyer returned with figures 3-0-12-1 in the third match, which was apparently his first time bowling in the international circuit.
Indian skipper hailed the effort from the all-rounder and reckons Venkatesh Iyer’s bowing will be crucial for India going forward.
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“Good to see Venkatesh Iyer bowling those overs with the skills he has. Important for us going forward. I would that going forward,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
Following his successful season for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the second phase of the IPL 2021, Iyer was awarded a maiden call-up for the national side. He made his debut in the very first match of the three matches T20I series against New Zealand.
It has been learnt that team India has started grooming Venkatesh Iyer as a replacement for all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Of late, Hardik has been ineffective with both his batting and bowling.
His recurring shoulder and back niggles have troubled the cricketer and owing to which he didn’t bowl in the recent two IPL seasons.
The reports further suggest that Hardik Pandya disbalances the team’s combination when he shows his inability to deliver his quota of four overs in T20Is. Team India felt that turbulence in their first match of the T20 World Cup 2021 against Pakistan.
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