Venkatesh Iyer should only be considered for T20Is: Gambhir

India’s worries with all-rounders in the white-ball format has been a hot topic of debate. While Hardik Pandya, in the past, played that role to perfection, his injury which prevented him from bowling for the longest time put India in an ultimate coup. 

With Pandya’s terrible returns, the Indian selectors showed their faith in Venkatesh Iyer for the role. Just after two ODIs against South Africa, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has been reduced to bench. Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir slammed Iyer’s selection in the ODI format. 

“I feel he should only be considered for T20 cricket. Because he doesn't have that level of maturity yet. He has been given an opportunity to play international level after watching him in only 7-8 IPL matches,” Gambhir told Star Sports.  

“If you are going by IPL performances, then play him in T20 cricket. ODI is a completely different ball game and a completely different beast,” he added.

Despite his performance for Madhya Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 379 runs and picked up nine wickets, Gambhir was of the suggestion that the Indian management should ask Kolkata Knight Riders to drop him to the middle-order. 

“Iyer had opened in IPL, now he is playing in the middle order. Send him back. If you are considering him for ODI cricket then tell his IPL franchise to play him in the middle order. But I feel he should be kept for T20s only, that too only as an opener, if he plays at that position in IPL.”

India’s next assignment in international cricket is against the West Indies, starting February, over three ODIs and as many T20Is.