Out of the Team for Long, Joining County Cricket - Goal is to Return to the Indian Team
Hope was to get a chance in the Zimbabwe tour team. But the national selectors did not take Venkatesh Iyer. His aim is to return to the Indian team. He is returning to 22 yards before the start of domestic cricket.
Venkatesh Iyer to Play County Cricket: The domestic cricket season has not started yet. Before that, Kolkata Knight Riders' Benktesh Iyer decided to return to the field. He chose England's county cricket to return to 22 yards.
Venkatesh wants to prepare himself before the Duleep Trophy. His aim in the new season is to return to the Indian team. So he doesn't want to delay anymore. As India's domestic cricket season has not started, Venkatesh is going to play in England. He has signed a five-week deal with county club Lancashire. KKR cricketer will play Metro Bank ODI Cup for Lancashire. He is also expected to play several first-class matches.
“I am incredibly excited to head over to England and to have the opportunity to play county cricket for the first time in my career. Lancashire is a very historic county with a long history of welcoming Indian players to their Club," Iyer said in a statement.
“To test my skills in both one-day and first-class cricket in English conditions is going to really benefit my game. I hope that I can entertain the fans and help my Lancashire team-mates to achieve their targets in both formats this summer.," he added.
Venkatesh Iyer's Records
It is noteworthy that left-handed batsman Venkatesh has 1132 runs in his name in 20 first-class matches at an average of 37.73 and with the help of one century. Apart from this, he has also taken 15 wickets with his bowling. Whereas, if we talk about List A cricket, he has scored 1458 runs in 43 matches at a strike rate of 102, which includes four centuries and five half-centuries. He has also played two ODI matches for India.
“This is a deal we have worked hard to complete. Venkatesh will add experience to a young side during the One-Day Cup while providing an explosive batting option in the middle-order and another seam bowler that we can turn to with the ball," Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Mark Chilton said.
“He will also be available for our County Championship matches against Surrey and Hampshire towards the end of August and gives us another high-quality overseas option to select from," he added.
The KKR batsman will return home by the end of August after playing county cricket. Duleep Trophy will start from September 5. Indian team coach Gautam Gambhir and national selectors are eyeing him.
