That is the ultimate objective – Venkatesh Iyer on playing in the Indian Test team

India’s rookie batter Venkatesh Iyer has revealed his aspiration to play in the Test side for the Indian team.

Iyer has impressed with his skills as a budding all-rounder in the white-ball format and he wants to represent the national team in the red-ball version.

Iyer doesn’t have a lot of First-class experience as he has played only 10 matches in which he has scored 545 runs at an average of 36.33. On the other hand, Iyer hogged the limelight when he scored 370 runs in 10 IPL matches for Kolkata Knight Riders and he also played a key role in taking his team to the final of the tournament.

Furthermore, Iyer was in red-hot form in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 as he amassed 379 runs for Madhya Pradesh in six matches at an average of 63.16 and a blistering strike rate of 133.12. Thus, Iyer has definitely shown the skills to go a long way in his career.

Venkatesh Iyer said while talking to Boria Majumdar on ‘Backstage with Boria’, “The objective is not just to get into any team. The objective is to be there and make the team win. Irrespective of the quantum of the performance, but contribute in the side’s victory. That’s what is in my mind and not just getting into any team.”

He went on to say: “I’m not just looking at it from the T20 perspective or the ODI perspective, even in the longer format, I can be an asset to the team and I would like to definitely contribute to the side’s victory.”

When asked about his red-ball ambitions, Iyer said: “That is the ultimate objective. To make India win in the longer format is actually my goal.”

Iyer added that he doesn’t want to be just in the team’s squad but his aim is to help the team win matches. The southpaw had earlier made his T20I debut against New Zealand and scored 36 runs in three innings.

“0.1 percent (of India’s population) does get to play for the country, so it’s not a very special achievement. I look at it that way. I did well and then I was in the team. And now I have a task in hand to make India win.”

Iyer is part of India’s ODI squad for the series against South Africa and he will look to grab his opportunity if he gets his chance in the final XI. The first ODI between South Africa and India will be played at Paarl on January 19.