Venkatesh Iyer – India’s new-found finisher

Until September 2021, Venkatesh Iyer had not played an IPL game. He was far from being an India prospect with no call-ups to the national squad in any of the formats. Fast forward to February 2022 and the all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh has featured in 10 IPL matches, 6 T20Is and 2 ODIs. It has been a staggeringly unbelievable rise and it has been fruitful for India.

In the recently-concluded T20I series against West Indies, Venkatesh Iyer gave a wonderful demonstration of his qualities. India were chasing 158 runs in the first encounter. Accompanying blazing Suryakumar Yadav, Iyer struck an unbeaten 24 in just 13 balls as India won with seven balls remaining. In the following game, his 33* from 18 balls helped India finish with 186/5 on the board. He almost repeated the dose in the 3rd T20I as his contribution of 35* off 19 saw India post 184/5. India went on to win all three games.

Apart from his fiery cameos at the end, Iyer has also been a handy bowling prospect in the absence of Hardik Pandya. In the 3rd T20I, he completed the overs of injured Deepak Chahar and picked two wickets in the process. He had also volunteered to bowl in the death overs of the 2nd T20I as the chase became closer than anticipated.

Rahul Dravid, India’s head coach was mighty impressed with the all-rounder’s approach and attitude.

“He’s had a really good series for us. After he played the three T20s against New Zealand, you could sort of see his potential. We challenged him and gave him the role to be able to bat in that position [as a finisher]. Every time he has come back from a break, he has improved, gotten better, and his performances are better and that’s pleasing, that’s what you want to see. How they improve, get better, and respond to those challenges, and his bowling is coming along every time,” Dravid said.

A pace-bowling all-rounder has always been the most wanted type of cricketer for India. With Hardik Pandya unavailable, Iyer has sparkled brightly for India. If he continues his solid performances for the team in the upcoming T20I against Sri Lanka, he could well turn out to be a game-changer for India in the 2022 T20 World Cup.