India ODI Squad for SA: Venkatesh Iyer to get ODI call-up – With just two weeks left for the selection of ODI team for South Africa tour, Venkatesh Iyer has kept the selectors on their toes. With his impressive run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Iyer is knocking on the door of the ODI team. Follow India Tour of South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
On Sunday, playing for Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Harazre Trophy, he followed up his 112 and 71 with another blitzkrieg knock of 151 off just 133 balls against Chandigarh. His knock included 10 mammoth sixes and 8 fours.
India ODI Squad for SA: After T20I debut, Venkatesh Iyer all set for ODI call-up following impressive Hazare show
That brings the question, is he set for ODI debut? The answer is a resounding yes. With Hardik Pandya out recovering from a persistent back injury, the selectors have been looking out for a seam-bowling all-rounder. Venkatesh Iyer having impressed in the IPL 2021 got the nod in the T20I series against New Zealand. With the kind of form he is in, Iyer will certainly be on the flight to South Africa next month for the ODI series, starting from January 19.
India ODI Squad for SA: Why is Venkatesh Iyer certain for South Africa ODI series?
- Hardik Pandya’s absence means, India are an all-rounder short. Even if Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel recover from their injuries, the selectors are likely to go for a seam-bowling all-rounder.
- In the New Zealand series, he didn’t have an impressive start but Rohit Sharma spoke about the importance of giving him more opportunities and that is likely to be the SA tour.
- As Hardik Pandya is expected to return in the West Indies series, Venkatesh Iyer will have three ODIs to prove his worth in the 50-over format.
- The bouncy South Africa pitches will be another reason for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid to go for a seam-bowling all-rounder instead of a spinner.
- With Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah besides Shardul Thakur, Iyer could play the role of the sixth bowler.
1⃣0⃣0⃣ up & going strong! 💪 💪@ivenkyiyer2512 continues his superb run of form. 👏 👏 #MPvUTCA #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/iiow2ATC2n
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 12, 2021
India ODI Squad for SA: After T20I debut, Venkatesh Iyer all set for ODI call-up following impressive Hazare show
“He bats up the order for his franchise (KKR), but it’s going to be slightly tough for him to bat up the order in the Indian team. We’ve given him a role to bat at No. 5, 6 or 7. You saw his bowling skills — he looks a very bright prospect,” Rohit Sharma said after India’s win against New Zealand in Kolkata.
Venkatesh Iyer’s recent performances:
IPL 2021: 370 runs in 10 matches @ 41.10, 3 wickets
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 155 runs in 5 matches, 5 wickets
IND vs NZ T20: 36 runs in 3 matches @18.00, 1 wicket
Vijay Hazare Trophy: 348 runs in four matches, 6 wickets*
But more than that, BCCI is also keeping a tab on seam-bowling allrounders to play backup role for Hardik Pandya. Last month, a BCCI official told InsideSport that selectors will try out different seam-allrounders to keep them ready and not repeat the T20 World Cup debacle.
“It’s not just about one or two seam all-rounders. We do not have any backup for Hardik and that is very worrying. The ones we tried in Hadik’s absence haven’t really lived up to exception. We cannot just wait for a player to recover. We need a seam bowling all-rounder and there is a clear lack of depth in that field. Rahul, Virat and Rohit and the selection committee are aware of it and the selectors will be monitoring the seam all-rounders’ progress in Mushtaq Ali,” the official said.
India ODI Squad for SA: After T20I debut, Venkatesh Iyer all set for ODI call-up following impressive Hazare show
