'Send him back, he doesn't have that level of maturity yet' - Gautam Gambhir on Venkatesh Iyer's ODI struggles

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir felt that the all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer is yet to be groomed in ODI cricket and should be considered only for the T20 format. Iyer had some average outings in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa and was dropped from the playing XI for the final game. He managed just two and 22 in the two innings he has played so far and did not bowl in the first game either which raises a lot of questions on his selection.

The left-hander was seen as the backup all-rounder option with Hardik Pandya recovering from his injury and he got his opportunities in the T20I series against New Zealand where he did not show much with the bat scoring just 36 runs in three outings. The 50 over World Cup is around in a year’s time and India needs to sort things out quickly as Iyer hasn’t had much experience in IPL or rather the domestic cricket.

I feel Venkatesh Iyer should only be considered for T20 cricket: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir noted that Iyer should have played in just the T20s for his lack of maturity and explained the difficulties in the 50 over format which demands different sets of skills. He added that Iyer should be sent back and told to play in the middle order for a considerable amount of time so that he gets used to the role.

“I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he doesn’t have that level of maturity yet. He has been given an opportunity to play international level after watching him in only 7-8 IPL matches. If you are going by IPL performances, then play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a completely different ball game and a completely different beast,” Gautam Gambhir told Star Sports

“Iyer had opened in IPL, now he is playing in the middle order. Send him back. If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I feel he should be kept for T20s only, that too only as an opener if he plays at that position in IPL,” he added

Iyer came into the international scene after a terrific IPL 2021 where he finished with 370 runs in 10 innings and took his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to the finals of the tournament. His ability to bowl medium pace and bat in the top order has brought him into the mix and he is expected to retain his position for the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies.