Wasim Jaffer places Venkatesh Iyer ahead of Hardik Pandya in the T20 World Cup team

The Indian team has been on the hunt for a seam-bowling all-rounder in order to replace Hardik Pandya who is still struggling with fitness and has been relegated to the sidelines for several months. That search has now seem to come to an end with Venkatesh Iyer staking a claim for himself in the Indian T20I setup.

Venkatesh Iyer took the world by storm with breathtaking displays with Kolkata Knight Riders in the second half of IPL 2021. He got fast-tracked to the Indian national team on the basis of those displays and Iyer seems to be paying off that promise.

In the most recent T20I against West Indies, the 27-year-old smacked 35 off 19 deliveries with the help of four fours and two sixes. He has amassed 92 runs in three innings at a tremendous strike rate of 184 and has played the role of a finisher extremely along with Suryakumar Yadav. Iyer has struck a boundary every 3.6 deliveries and has also picked up two important wickets in the 3.1 overs he has bowled.

Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer considers Venkatesh Iyer to be a better prospect for the Indian T20 World Cup team and places him ahead of Hardik Pandya. Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Jaffer also mentioned that the upcoming Indian Premier League could be key for Pandya to reclaim his spot in the XI.

“At this point of time, I feel he’s a little bit ahead because you don’t know Hardik Pandya whether he’s bowling now or how fit he is. Obviously how the IPL goes for Hardik Panya will play a very key role but at this point of time, Venkatesh Iyer is ahead of Hardik Pandya,” he said.

Wasim Jaffer, who was a batting coach with Punjab Kings in the IPL last season, has been wowed by how quickly Venkatesh Iyer has adopted to the role of a finisher despite opening the batting for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

“I am surprised with how good he’s playing as a No. 6 batter. We have seen him as an opener but for him to come out and get adapted so well at No. 6 and finish games is outstanding. Plus, the way he’s bowled as well, got a couple of important wickets. He definitely gives [India] an edge going into the World Cup,” he said.