T20 World Cup: Venkatesh Iyer Included 4 Net Bowlers Sent Back To India Ahead Of Super 12 Stage

The 'Super 12' stage of the T20 World Cup will begin from 23rd October while India is all set to face Pakistan on 24th October in their Tournament opener. 

With the main phase of the tournament beginning, the Indian team has sent four of their net bowlers back to home since 'there won't be too many net sessions'. The four bowlers include - Karn Sharma, Shahbaz Ahmed, Krishnappa Gowtham, and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. Only four bowlers have been asked to stay back - Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Harshal Patel, and Lukman Meriwalla.

“Yes, there won’t be too many net sessions once the tournament starts. The national selectors feel that all the spinners especially would benefit if they go back and play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for their respective states. They need match practice. Also in this heat with optional practice, we won’t need so many spinners,” a BCCI official said as reported by PTI. 

With Venkatesh Iyer sent back to India, it is clear now that he won't be replacing Hardik Pandya at any stage of the World Cup. 

The fitness of Pandya has been a concern for a long time now and though he has been batting decently but he hasn't bowled a single delivery in the nets so far. 

"Hardik is coming along pretty well, but it'll be a while before he will start to bowl. He hasn't started bowling, but he should be ready by the start of the tournament," said Rohit Sharma had said during the warm-up match against Australia.

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With Hardik not bowling, India will be needing a sixth bowling option for which Rohit said: "Possibly, we need to find that sixth option. Myself, Virat, and Suryakumar, all those guys need to come in and bowl to see who can be that sixth option."