Venkatesh Iyer has grown in his role as an all-rounder in T20Is over the past month.
Team India's limited overs season at the domestic level ended last week with a convincing 3-0 win over Sri Lanka. The team remains unbeaten in T20Is since Rohit Sharma took over as full-time captain in the format, with India beating New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka by equal margins at home. During all three series, India tested their bench strength - especially among the bowlers - and the youngsters' consistent performances in all three series will add to the team management's dilemma as the T20 World Cup in Australia nears.
Since Hardik Pandya was unavailable for selection due to fitness issues after last year's T20 World Cup, Team India roped in 27-year-old Venkatesh Iyer, who rose to the role as the team's fast bowling all-rounder. In the T20Is against West Indies and Sri Lanka, Iyer performed impressively with both bat and ball, finding himself in the list of contenders for a spot in the last-15 of the T20 World Cup squad.
However, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Iyer will be out of contention once Hardik Pandya is fully fit and resumes bowling. Pandya is targeting a return to the international setup with the upcoming Indian Premier League season, where he will lead Gujarat Titans.
“It may seem that Venkatesh Iyer is leading the race, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hardik Pandya wins. Ravindra Jadeja will be the spin all-rounder and Pandya will be the fast bowling all-rounder,” Akash said on his official YouTube channel.
“Iyer is present but the day Hardik starts bowling, he will overtake Venkatesh Iyer for the role. It is also worth remembering that this is not a bilateral series where you can take 18-20 players at a time as per your convenience. This is an ICC event where you can only select a 15-man squad.
The former India batsman further said that Iyer will have an outside chance if Pandya does not regain fitness.
"So, when you have only 15 places, you can't take everything with you. So, you will have only two options for the all-rounder's position and for me they will be Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya. If Pandya is not fit If so, Venkatesh Iyer may have a chance - it may happen but hopefully it will not happen,” Akash said.