Venkatesh Iyer should be developed as a utility all-rounder, he can be Hardik Pandya's backup: VVS Laxman

Former India batter VVS Laxman feels that several players have been duly rewarded with maiden call-ups in the recently announced squad for the home T20I series against New Zealand courtesy of the hard work and impressive performances in the Indian Premier League.

Notably, the selectors opted to rest a host of first-choice players keeping in mind the amount of time they have spent in bio-bubbles and controlled environments owing to the Covid-19 pandemic in the last year. India’s New Zealand squad includes fresh faces in Venkatesh Iyer, Harshal Patel and Avesh Khan, while Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made his international debut earlier this year against Sri Lanka in July, has also been included.

“I think they have rewarded the players who have done well in the IPL, which is the way forward keeping in mind that the World Cup is going to happen in Australia in one year’s time. I think it is an excellent squad, not only in the batting department but also in the fast-bowling unit as well. There is Harshal Patel who is excellent in the death overs… there is Avesh Khan who has got express pace,” Laxman said on Star Sports.

Given the abundance of openers in the team, Laxman reckoned that it might be difficult to see Venkatesh Iyer at the top, which is where he batted for Kolkata Knight Riders in the UAE leg of the IPL.  “I just want someone like Venkatesh Iyer to bat out of his position. India have got five openers in that squad and you know that Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are your front-runners for that spot. So Venkatesh Iyer needs to fit but not in the top order,” he said.

Laxman, however, also backed Iyer to prove himself as a utility all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, who has not been named in the squad owing to fitness concerns. Further, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are other key names who have been rested.

“You want him to bat at No. 5 or No. 6, and also chip in with the bowling, probably a couple of overs or more and make him get used to that position. He could be the backup to Hardik Pandya. You can develop Venkatesh Iyer as a utility all-rounder,” he added.

India will host New Zealand for three T20Is in Jaipur (November 17), Ranchi (November 19) and Kolkata (November 21), followed by two Tests in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7), the squad for which will be announced in the next couple of days.