Could be a second season syndrome : Gavaskar justifies Venkatesh’s exclusion from KKR starting XI | IPL 2022

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Xtra Time Web Desk : Kolkata Knight Riders all rounder Venkatesh Iyer on Monday was dropped off from the starting XI against Rajasthan Royals for the first time this season, after an unsuccessful 9 match run from the 27 year old with both the bat and the ball.

Having scored just 132 runs in the season so far, Venkatesh Iyer’s exclusion from the starting XI was well supported by former Team India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, who spoke in favour of dropping off the southpaw due to his unimpressive performances this season.

“Because of the fact that they have not been winning, KKR have had to make a couple of changes. Venkatesh Iyer… I was talking about giving someone a long rope, he has played about… what 9 or 10 games… but hasn’t done anything with either bat or ball. It could be a second season syndrome for him. And that’s the reason they decided to go in with Anukul Roy. We all know that he is a brilliant fielder. We have seen him coming in as substitute after some bowler has bowled his four overs. As a fielder he is outstanding,” said Gavaskar in a post match Star Sports show.

The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder who amassed 370 runs in 10 matches last season and was deemed as Hardik Pandya’s replacement in the Indian Team has often been criticised as a one season wonder. However, it would now be interesting to see how he makes a come back from this setback.