Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said Team India needs to play with their best playing XI if they want to win the ongoing five-match T20I series against “very talented and experienced” England after the hosts suffered a massive defeat in the first T20I on Friday (March 12).
He was also unimpressed with India’s decision to leave out Rohit Sharma for the T20I series opener, though the legendary batsman understands the hosts’ move, but stressed on the need to play the right combination against England since the touring side isn’t lacking in experience.
Laxman further reminded the Indian cricket team that the Test series was a different challenge and suggested the hosts play with their best possible XI in the ongoing T20I series; otherwise, it will be very difficult for them to exert pressure against England even in the home conditions.
His comments came after England defeated India in the first T20I by 8 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series.
Laxman told Star Sports: “I feel if you want to win this series, which Virat Kohli and the Indian team wants to do, you need to play your best playing XI. I can understand not playing Rohit Sharma because Shikhar Dhawan is also an experienced batsman and KL Rahul is also an in-form experienced player.”
He further explained, “But if you don’t play the right combination against England, it will be very difficult to exert pressure because England is not lacking in experience. The Test series was a different challenge as the wickets were in India’s favour, the England team had inexperienced batsmen.”
Laxman signed off, “But this England team is a very talented and experienced T20 side. So if you don’t play your best playing XI, it will be very difficult especially since this was the first match of the series.”
