Young all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer opens his target for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. The 27-year-old made his international debut for India against New Zealand last year after his exploits in IPL 2021 for Kolkata Knight Riders. The second half of IPL 2021 proved to be a gamechanger for Iyer as he played a key role in KKR’s journey as runners-up. He is expected to make his ODI debut for India against the Proteas in the series starting January 19.
In his first T20I series against New Zealand, Iyer scored only 36 runs and claimed one wicket in three matches. However, he was in fine form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021, where he scored 379 runs in 6 matches at an average of 63.17.
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Iyer shared his plans for the ODI series against Proteas and said that he takes it one day at a time.
“I take things as they come. I take it one day at a time. Of course, I have in mind how to go about things there, to prepare for bounce tracks and a I have a role as a bowler, as a fielder, as a batsman. Everything has worked out, but I still take it once a day,” Iyer said on Revsportz YouTube channel.
In IPL 2021, Iyer scored 370 runs in 10 matches at an impressive average of 41.11 and took three wickets with an economy rate of 8.12.
The 27-year-old said his primary focus is to prepare for South Africa’s bouncy track in the practice session.
“Right now, my focus is on how to prepare for tomorrow, like in the next practice session and then in the next practice session, as soon as I reach South Africa, how to practice there. It’s in my mind and not just how I’m going to apply myself to the pitch. Of course, plans are in place but I am not looking too forward on that matter,” he said.
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Iyer has been asked to replace Hardik Pandya, who has been battling fitness concerns over the years. He opened the innings for KKR in the IPL but had to play the role of a finisher in the Indian team as the top order was packed.
India squad For South Africa ODIs: KL Rahul (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Ruturaj, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar , Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj
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