‘The plan is to keep him in the mix’ – Rohit Sharma lauds ‘bright prospect’ Venkatesh Iyer

Team India T20 skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praises on Venkatesh Iyer after the Men in Blue’s 73-run victory over New Zealand on Sunday, November 21 at the Eden Gardens. Iyer grabbed the limelight after a brilliant performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the second leg of the 2021 Indian Premier League after which the selectors gave him a chance to show his prowess in national colours.

In the three T20Is against the Black Caps, the 26-year-old scored 36 runs at an average of 18. In the third match, Iyer batted at No.6 and scored a 15-ball 20 before Trent Boult accounted for his wicket. Rohit, who took over as India’s full-time T20I skipper after the T20 World Cup 2021, said that the team management is wanting to groom Iyer as a lower middle-order batter going forward.

Clearly, he’s got the skills, says Rohit Sharma

“The plan is to keep him in the mix as much as we can. At the same time, we need to give him a role of where to bat. He doesn’t usually bat in this role; for his franchise he bats up the order and it’s going to be tough for him to bat up the order so we’ve given him a role to bat at probably 5, 6,7 in the lower-middle order. See he can do the job for us,” Rohit said after the game.

The Madhya Pradesh-born Iyer also bowled three overs in the Kolkata T20I and picked up Adam Milne’s wicket. He was economical as well, conceding 12 runs off his three overs. Rohit also lauded him for bowling performance.

“Today he looked quite composed for whatever time he was in there. He was clear in his mindset and had a good approach for whatever he wanted to do. You saw his bowling skills. He looks a very bright prospect for us. Clearly, he’s got the skills. In terms of his bowling skills as well he can get the job done for us,” he added.

After winning the Kolkata T20I, India also managed to win the series 3-0. Following a disappointing campaign in the T20 World Cup, Rohit’s men have well and truly been able to stage a comeback.