Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 16-man squad who will be participating in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. Senior players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah have been rested while there are few new faces in the squad like Harshal Patel, Venkatesh Iyer and Avesh Khan in the team. Reacting to the selection, former Indian batter VVS Laxman has welcomed the inclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 performers in the team explaining how these players can be handy in the next year's T20 World Cup which is to be played in Australia.
“I think it is an excellent squad”
Newly-picked Harshal, as well as Avesh, were the star bowlers of their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. Harshal was the Purple Cap holder with 32 wickets to his name whereas Avesh was second in the list with 24 scalps. Both the bowlers emerged as star bowlers for their teams and turned out to be match-winners. Laxman is happy seeing the changes and has said that given the fact that next year's T20 World Cup would be played on the bouncier pitches of Australia, Harshal and Avesh's inclusion has been a welcome move.
"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 next year. 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 told Star Sports.
New role for Venkatesh Iyer
The fortunes of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) changed in the second phase of IPL 2021, when Venkatesh Iyer started opening for them. Venkatesh helped the team reach the final of the IPL after a long gap of seven years. The left-handed batter scored 370 runs at an average of 41.11 and also picked up three wickets. On Iyer’s place in the team, Laxman said that since the race for the opening slot is already intense, Iyer could be made to bat in the middle-order.
"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. 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 back-up to Hardik Pandya. You can develop Venkatesh Iyer as a utility all-rounder,” the 47-year-old said.
