Venkatesh Iyer, India’s newest all-round sensation is making headlines once again.
This time it’s due to his performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare trophy. Iyer put on a show against Sanju Samson’s Kerala, notching up an 80-ball hundred to propel his side to 329 from their 50 overs. The all-rounder finished with 112 from 84 balls, a knock that included seven fours and four maximums.
Batting at no.4, the southpaw shared a 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket from 135 deliveries. This is the 26-year-old’s third List A century and first in the season. In the previous game against Maharashtra he could not do much with the bat with a score of 14. With the ball, his only wicket was newly elected Maharashtra captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
IPL factor
After bursting onto the scene in the second half of the IPL this year, Iyer has been on a dream run. He was mighty impressive for the Kolkata Knight Riders, prompting the franchise to retain him for the next IPL cycle as well. He scored 370 runs from 10 games at an average of 41.11 including four half-centuries.
Owing to his wonderful accomplishments in the IPL, he was picked for the T20I series against New Zealand where he featured for the Men in Blue in all three matches.
ODIs next for Iyer?
Iyer’s performances, like the one against Kerala, are sure to catch the selectors’ eye. With Hardik Pandya battling form and fitness issues, Iyer’s selection in the 50-overs side might not be too far off especially with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) delaying the announced of ODI squad under the leadership of new captain Rohit Sharma.
India next face South Africa in a 3-match ODI series starting in January. If Iyer can continue piling on the runs and prove his value with the ball, he might very well find himself on the flight to the African nation.
