After the West Indies T20I series Venkatesh Iyer is ahead of Hardik Pandya, says Wasim Jaffer

Venkatesh Iyer's all-round show in the just-concluded T20I series against West Indies, former India opener Wasim Jaffer said that the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) all-rounder is ahead of Hardik Pandya for the T20 World Cup consideration at this moment. Iyer played a crucial unbeaten knock of 35 off 19 balls in the third and final T20I against West Indies at the Eden Gardens. The 27-year-old finished the series as the fourth-highest run-getter with 92 runs from three matches and took two wickets as well.

Read AlsoNo set formula but we're clear about T20 World Cup team combination: Rahul Dravid

The T20I series against West Indies was India's first in a packed calendar in the build-up to the World Cup and they next take on Sri Lanka in an identical three-match rubber in four days' time. In the absence of some Team India regulars like opener KL Rahul, and pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed

"After this series, I feel Iyer is a little bit ahead because you don't know Hardik Pandya whether he's bowling now or how fit he is. Obviously how the IPL goes for Hardik Pandya will play a very key role but at this point of time, Venkatesh Iyer is ahead of Hardik Pandya," Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo. "I am surprised with how good he's playing as a No. 6 batter. We have seen him as an opener but for him to come out and get adapted so well at No. 6 and finish games is outstanding. Plus, the way he's bowled as well, got a couple of important wickets. He definitely gives [India] an edge going into the World Cup," Jaffer said. India head coach Rahul Dravid too was pleased with Iyer's performance in this series.

1/9IN PICS: Suryakumar Yadav leads India to series sweep of West IndiesShow Captions<p>India beat West Indies by 17 runs in the