Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman has issued a warning to the Indian batters ahead of their series against South Africa later this month. Virat Kohli & Co are scheduled to play three Tests followed by the same number of ODIs against the Proteas.
India will land in South Africa as the No.1 ranked Test team, the Asian giants would also be aware that India is yet to register a series victory in that part of the world. Ahead of the high-profile series, VVS Laxman has highlighted that pattern in the dismissals of the Indian top-order against New Zealand.
“It’s very important not to repeat the same mistakes. If we saw the way Ajinkya Rahane got out in Kanpur, Pujara got out in Kanpur as well as in Mumbai, it’s almost like a pattern which is developing. Even Shubman Gill, after settling down and throwing away his wicket. So I just believe it is about converting that start into a big score, which is very critical,” he said.
VVS Laxman also highlighted that the batters need to convert the stats considering India play with 5 designated batters and one all-rounder.
“As it is, India plays with five genuine batters, then you have an all-rounder in the form of Jadeja, you then have a wicketkeeper-batter, so it is important for the top five batters to make it count once they get their eye in, once they spend time on the crease,” he added.
“As a batting unit, you will have to fire” – VVS Laxman on the secret to winning in South Africa
VVS Laxman finally stressed that if India want to win in South Africa, their final frontier, the batters need to fire.
“Somewhere or the other I feel they are repeating the mistakes and throwing away their wickets after getting set, which you cannot do if you want to perform well against good teams and especially if you want to win the series in South Africa, as a batting unit you will have to fire,” he concluded.
The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to commence on December 26 in Centurion.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
