IND vs SA LIVE: Captain KL Rahul misses the trick as Venkatesh Iyer doesn’t bowl – Venkatesh Iyer made his ODI debut for Team India as KL Rahul and Co squared off against South Africa in the first of the three ODIs on Wednesday. However, Iyer, viewed as a replacement for Hardik Pandya, did not bowl a single over during the innings with Rahul opting to stick with his five bowlers despite the attack not stopping the hosts from getting to a fighting 296. Follow Insidesport.IN for all IND vs SA live updates.
IND vs SA LIVE: MINDLESS captaincy by KL Rahul, experts & fans ask ‘why Venkatesh Iyer was not given even a single over’
Captain KL Rahul missed a trick on Wednesday as he opted against bowling Venkatesh Iyer on his ODI debut at Boland Park. Rahul decided to back his five senior bowlers to bowl their entire quota of overs despite them struggling to pick wickets as Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen scored fighting centuries to guide South Africa to 296/4.
Venkatesh Iyer was drafted into the side as a sixth bowling option but was not utilised, much like during his T20I debut under Rohit Sharma against New Zealand in December. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur leaked runs late in the innings as Rahul’s decision backfired massively. This comes right after he had admitted of having the luxury of 6th bowling option and will look to make proper use of the same ahead of the IND vs SA 1st ODI.
Speaking in his pre-match virtual press conference, KL Rahul had said, “Yes, Venkatesh Iyer has been very exciting since the time he has played for KKR in the IPL and then he joined us for the T20 series against New Zealand and he did well. We are trying to develop Venkatesh (as the sixth bowling option) and we will give him that chance. He has done decently and he gives us that option as the sixth bowler.”
Fans were visibly shocked by the call taken by the team management and captain KL Rahul. Some went as far as suggesting that if Venkatesh Iyer wasn’t going to bowl, the team might have been better off trying Suryakumar Yadav at No.6.
Surprising Venkatesh Iyer wasn’t given a single over. Today was a perfect occasion to give 3-4 overs. Sixth bowling option needs to bowl a few overs
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 19, 2022
Try Venkatesh Iyer for sure one over at least. If he goes well then continue else you have other options to complete the overs.
We are looking for 6th bowling option and without trying him we can’t find that one. #SAvIND #INDvsAUS
— Mr.Professor (@iMrProfessor) January 19, 2022
Do people just forget Venkatesh Iyer bowls?
— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) January 19, 2022
IND vs SA LIVE: MINDLESS captaincy by KL Rahul, experts & fans ask ‘why Venkatesh Iyer was not given even a single over’
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