Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes Venkatesh Iyer is currently a little bit ahead of Hardik Pandya in the T20 World Cup 2022 race.
Iyer has done well as a finisher in the recent past and he has shown that he can also bowl a couple of overs for his captain.
The left-hander had scored 92 runs in three T20Is against West Indies at an average of 92 and a blistering strike rate of 184. Iyer plays as an opener for KKR in the Indian Premier League but he has been given a different role altogether for the national team. The southpaw batter has been able to grab it both hands so far and he has done a decent job.
Iyer had scored 35 runs off just 19 balls in the third T20I against and also scalped two wickets in 2.1 overs he bowled. Thus, he was able to fill in the shoes of Deepak Chahar, who could not complete his quota of overs after suffering a hamstring injury.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya is still not match-fit and he has also pulled out of the Ranji Trophy. Pandya had last played for India in the T20 World Cup and since then he hasn’t been selected due to fitness issues. Furthermore, he wasn’t bowling and there have been doubts over his fitness.
Jaffer, the former domestic giant, added that the Indian Premier League will play a key role in the team’s selection but currently Iyer is ahead of Pandya as a seam-bowling all-rounder for the Indian team.
“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 Pandya will play a very key role, but at this point of time, Venkatesh Iyer is ahead of Hardik Pandya,” said Jaffer as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“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 added.
Iyer will look to continue the good show in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. The first T20I will be played in Lucknow on Thursday.
