The backing and support behind the latest all-round sensation Venkatesh Iyer is getting louder by the day and ahead of the South Africa ODI series, the 26-year old has found another supporter in former India wicket-keeper batsman Saba Karim.
Iyer, following a breakthrough IPL season with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second half of the 2021 edition, made his debut for India in the T20I series against New Zealand at home and now has been scoring runs for fun in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has amassed 348 runs in four innings going with his eight wickets with the ball and looks like one of the top contenders to get a call-up in the ODI squad.
Iyer is just behind another star of the season, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The IPL 2021 Orange Cap holder for the Chennai Super Kings, Gaikwad’s outstanding year has continued in the 50-over domestic tournament as well having slammed three consecutive centuries playing for Maharashtra.
Former gloveman Karim said that if India are looking at preparing for the 2023 ODI World Cup, these two should be the first two names in the squad and added that since Hardik Pandya is struggling with his fitness, India may have already found his replacement.
Speaking on the Khelneeti podcast, the 54-year old said, “I believe that Venkatesh Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad have almost entered the first-team squad, and I’m talking about white-ball cricket. If we have to start the preparation for the 2023 World Cup, these two players should be part of the squad as soon as possible.
“They should be given as much exposure as possible. Both these players provide a different spectrum for the team. Gaikwad can be the backup opener with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul going strong. On the other hand, Iyer has performed really well while batting at No. 5 or No. 6 in the Vijay Hazare trophy. If we are looking at the replacement for Hardik Pandya, we have already found the player,” he added.
Karim mentioned that the new India head coach Rahul Dravid, who has coached the Under-19 and India A sides in the past has seen many of these players and must have thought about a core of around 25 players for the World Cup.
“Rahul Dravid has seen these players for quite a while now. The way Dravid used to prepare as a player, he must be prepared in the same way as a coach. He must have thought about a core of 23-25 players in the white-ball cricket circuit. He must have started the preparation for the World Cups,” he said.
“Venkatesh Iyer should definitely be part of the South Africa tour. He must then be tracked be in the Ranji Trophy as well because I believe he is an all-format player. It is also the time that Gaikwad is in contention for the Test squad,” Karim further added
