IND vs WI Live: Venkatesh Iyer reminds fans of Hardik Pandya- India head coach Rahul Dravid was very impressed with the special performance. He also heaped praise on his bowling ability to fill the shoes of the 6th bowling option with a couple of breakthroughs. Follow India vs West Indies LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
India’s new allrounder-cum-finisher Venkatesh Iyer was on song against West Indies. He slammed 35 runs off just 19 balls that comprised a couple of sixes and 4 boundaries. He also returned with a couple of wickets against the West Indies for an all-around show.
IND vs WI Live: Venkatesh Iyer reminds fans of Hardik Pandya with ALLROUND show, Rahul Dravid impressed
“He had a very good series against New Zealand. After the T20I series against Sri Lanka, we saw his potential & clarity. He plays a different role for his IPL franchise in Kolkata but we are very clear with the kind of role that we see him filling in our situation. We gave him the position and every time he has come back, he has improved and his performances have gotten better. That’s very pleasing how he respond to those challenges,” Rahul Dravid said at the press conference.
“He bowled a very good over in the 1st T20, got us a couple of wickets today. He won’t always be asked to bowl but in situations like today where we, unfortunately, lost Deepak Chahar. So, that’s the role of the sixth bowler. I think he has done a very good job,” Dravid added.
The youngster delivered in consecutive games to keep himself in the future scheme of things after the ODI snub. He looked positive throughout his innings and shared a crucial 91 runs partnership with SuryaKumar Yadav to propel India to 184/5 in the allotted 20 overs.
- Venkatesh Iyer played at a sensational strike rate of 184+ in the final T20I. He had earlier slammed unbeaten 24 in the second game.
- He shared 48, 76 and 91 runs partnerships in the last three innings with SuryaKumar Yadav (twice) & Rishabh Pant.
- Now, all he needs to do is deliver with the ball in order to book his place for T20 World Cup later this year in Australia. He bowled just a single over in the last 2 T20Is.
- He also took the wickets of Kieron Pollard & Jason Holder in the bowling department.
“More than I enjoyed my batting, I enjoyed his (Surya’s) batting. Really happy to have contributed in the partnership. I think every shot of his has a touch of grace. There is thought behind it but he just stands out. That pick up shot over the leg-side of his is great. My shot was on the cards and it was Surya’s idea for me to shuffle and scoop it,” Venkatesh Iyer said during the innings break to Star Sports.
48(28) with Surya, 76(39) with Pant, 91(41) with Surya. Venkatesh Iyer at the end in the three games. @mohanstatsman
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 20, 2022
Most runs in death overs (16-20) by India in T20Is:
86 v WI Kolkata 2022 *
80 v Eng Durban 2007
77 v Aus Bengaluru 2019
75 v SA Gros Islet 2010
74 v Pak Ahmedabad 2012
Suryakumar Yadav 65 off 31, SR 209.67
Venkatesh Iyer 35* off 19, SR 184.21Before this series, Indian number 5 & 6 had never scored at a SR of 180+ in the same T20I (min.25 runs). Now they have done so in two consecutive games!#INDvWI #INDvsWI #WIvIND https://t.co/azGEs8dFbV
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) February 20, 2022
Hardik Pandya after seeing Venkatesh Iyer’s performance in this series.#INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/CShle3uZ21
— a (@aqqu___) February 20, 2022
Hardik Pandya has six knocks of SR > 180 (min 10 balls faced) in T20Is.
In five innings (min 10 balls), Venkatesh Iyer already has three.
Not a slight on Hardik, just shows Venky has been mighty impressive.#INDvWI
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 20, 2022
Hardik pandya watching Ventakesh Iyer taking wickets and making runs for the team #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/ITgepRlMgx
— Vivek Gautam (@Imvivek04) February 20, 2022
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