Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman credited the Indian cricket team management and all the tailenders for the tourists’ thrilling 151-run victory over England in the second Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday (August 16). India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series in England.
Jasprit Bumrah (34*) and Mohammad Shami (56*) had an unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket while Ishant Sharma contributed 16 runs to help India declare the second innings at 298/8, setting up a stiff 272-run target for England, but they were miserably bowled out for 120 runs in 51.5 overs.
Praising the Indian bowlers’ for their ability to contribute to the team’s total with the bat, the legendary Test batsman said the desire of all bowlers to get better with the willow is proved with the team’s memorable victory in the second Test against England at Lord’s.
Laxman told ESPNCricinfo, “Credit to the team management and all the tailenders. Ishant Sharma is more than capable of batting and I have had the experience of having those partnerships with him. Shami is more than capable of batting. You know that he can hit big sixes. I still remember that match against South Africa, where he hit a lot of sixes.”
He continued, “Umesh Yadav, who is not part of this playing XI, is a useful batsman. He has got a first-class hundred. Jasprit Bumrah, we have seen from the Australia series, how much value he is giving to his wicket and how much he has improved as far as his batting is concerned. Siraj, being from Hyderabad, I know that he can bat. It is about the desire to get better, which is very impressive.”
Laxman signed off by saying, “I have seen Raghu, the throwdown specialist, working with these bowlers. These bowlers do extra throwdowns do get better. And the majority of the time, when Raghu bowls or when he throws in the nets, he targets the rib cage at a very good pace. The more you work and the more meaningful your preparation is, the better you get. First and foremost, the desire of all these bowlers to get better is evident and that is why you are seeing the results.”
