Bowling gives Iyer edge over Pandya for India T20 WC squad: Wasim Jaffer

Former
India cricketer Wasim Jaffer said Venkatesh Iyer’s bowling gives
him an “edge” over Hardik Pandya in the race for the all-rounder’s
spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this
year.

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“I
am surprised how good he is playing as a number six batter. We have seen him as
an opener but for him to come out and get adapted so well at number six and
finish games is outstanding. Plus, the way he has bowled as well and got couple
of important wickets, it definitely gives him an edge going into the World Cup
and I feel he is a real contender now,” Jaffer said while analysing the
two cricketers on ESPN Cricinfo.

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In
the recently concluded three-match T20I series against West Indies, Venkatesh
finished as India’s second-highest run-getter with 92 runs at a brilliant
strike rate of 184. He was also India’s fourth-best bowler with two wickets at
an impressive average of 13.50. In the third T20I, Iyer
scored 35 runs and picked up the wickets of Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder.

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Jaffer
also said that the upcoming IPL will hold key to Gujarat Titans captain Hardik
Pandya’s bid to secure his place in the Indian team as an all-rounder.

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“I
feel, at this point in time, he [Venkatesh Iyer] is a little bit ahead because
you don’t know if Hardik Pandya is bowling now, how fit he is… Obviously, how
the IPL goes for Pandya will play a very key role. But I think at this point in
time, Iyer is definitely ahead of Pandya,” Jaffer opined.

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Pandya
last played for India in the T20 World Cup in the UAE against Namibia. Iyer,
who made his debut against New Zealand in November last year, improved his
performance in the T20I series against West Indies.