Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra was shocked to note that India didn’t use Venkatesh Iyer as the sixth bowling option in the first ODI against South Africa at Boland Park, Paarl on Wednesday.
Interestingly, India’s stand-in ODI skipper KL Rahul had revealed that they will play Venkatesh Iyer as an all-rounder but surprisingly didn’t use his services as a bowler.
It was a slow pitch and Iyer could have been given the ball in the middle overs. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan revealed that the spinners were doing well in the middle overs and thus they didn’t use Venkatesh Iyer.
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were both expensive in their spells as they conceded at more than six runs/over, and definitely, a couple of overs could have been given to Venkatesh Iyer, who has impressed with the ball.
Iyer was making his ODI debut but could only score two runs as he was dismissed on a short-pitched ball by Lungi Ngidi.
Speaking to Star Sports, Aakash Chopra said, “That baffled me. With regards to not bowling Venkatesh Iyer, it’s not only KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma did the same thing in the 2 T20Is against New Zealand. He was bowled only after India won the series he bowled”.
“In the pre-match press conference, KL Rahul said he would use Venkatesh Iyer as the 6th bowling option. There were many, many moments in this game to see what he could actually do. He could have leaked a few runs but ODI cricket is one format that allows a bowler to leak a few runs and make a comeback later on,” he added.
The reputed commentator added that India should play either Ishan Kishan or Suryakumar Yadav if they aren’t going to use the bowling services of Venkatesh Iyer.
“So, it’s just us who are seeing Venkatesh Iyer as an all-rounder. It seems the Indian think tank, the team management, and the leadership group, they don’t see him as an all-rounder is the understanding or feeling you get from the outside,” Chopra added.
“It’s now his 4th game for India and he has been on the field for close to 110 overs, he has bowled I think only 2-3 overs, and that too in a dead rubber. I can’t make head or tail of it. If he is not going to bowl, then play either Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan.”
The second ODI between South Africa and India will be played at the same venue of Paarl on Friday.
