Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said the Indian cricket team will start as clear favorites in the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting on Wednesday, August 4, at Trent Bridge.
However, Laxman pointed out that England still has a formidable pace attack despite not having the services of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Chris Woakes, so, India must bat to their full potential to counter the hosts attack in the Test series to justify their tag as favorites.
Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India: “Given the make-up of the two sides, India start as clear favorites, but for them to justify that tag, they must bat to their potential. Despite the absence of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and Chris Woakes, the hosts have a formidable pace attack.”
He continued, “Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara have been on multiple trips to England, but the last two, in particular, haven’t enjoyed a great deal of success and average less than 30.
However, India has greater depth, class, and experience in their batting group than England, which will be heavily dependent on Joe Root.”
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The legendary Test batsman also pointed out that New Zealand exposed the vulnerability of the English batting in June and Indian bowlers just need to emulate them to win the Test series for the first time in 14 years on English soil.
He further mentioned, “New Zealand exposed the vulnerability of the English batting earlier this summer, and if India’s versatile bowling group can emulate them, there is no reason why the visitors can’t secure their first series win there since 2007.”
With Mayank Agarwal ruled out of the first Test due to concussion, Laxman said he always wanted to pick KL Rahul as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner against England.
Laxman said: “Even before the unfortunate injury to Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul was my automatic choice to open the batting with Rohit Sharma. Rahul is a pedigreed Test opener with centuries in Australia, England, and the West Indies; and I have been baffled by reports that the think-tank has been averse to considering him for that role. There has been no official word on why that’s the case.
I only hope there has been communication between the team management and Rahul because it is important for players to know their roles, to know what is expected of them.”
He also suggested Team India go in with three pacers and two spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja against England.
He added, “India will think long and hard about what their bowling attack should look like. My vote would be for a three-pronged pace attack manned by Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah, with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin discharging spin duties.”
Laxman signed off by saying, “Ashwin has five Test hundreds and will bolster the batting at No. 8. He has also been bowling superbly and will be extremely unlucky to miss out if India either opts to bring in Mohammed Siraj or bolster their batting by including Hanuma Vihari.
There is a touch of fragility to the England top order, further weakened by Stokes's withdrawal. (Joe) Root is a wonderful player, but he can’t do it all on his own.”
(Times of India inputs)
