Former India cricketer VVS Laxman revealed – Ben Stokes, Jason Holder, and Ravindra Jadeja as his top three all-rounders in Test cricket at the moment. He also explained lauded the Indian all-rounder for his progress over the last few years.
Speaking to the Espncricinfo, Laxman stated that Ben Stokes ranks Number 1 for him. He added that the Englishman walks into the playing either as a proper batsman or a bowler. Stokes has played 71 Test matches for England and has scored 4631 runs at an average of 37.05. He has also picked up 163 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls.
Laxman said, “For me, Ben Stokes is the No.1 World Test all-rounder. A great all-rounder is someone who straight away walks into the playing XI either as a batsman or a bowler. Stokes automatically walks into the England side just as a pure batsman.”
“And it’s the other way around for Jason Holder. Even if he doesn’t contribute with the bat, Holder walks into the West Indies side as a pure bowler,” he further added.
Jason Holder averages 31.76 in 49 Test matches scoring 2287 runs and taking 129 wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja has shown a lot of temperament against quality bowlers: VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman picked Ravindra Jadeja as the third-best all-rounder in the world at the moment in Test cricket. He added that Jadeja has grown as a player in the last few years. Jadeja scored a half-century playing against England in the first test match, helping India to get a vital lead of 95-runs in the first innings. Laxman said,
“The way he batted in this (first) Test match shows a lot of change in his temperament and mindset. He has shown a lot more temperament to be successful in trying conditions against quality fast bowlers. With Jadeja, you see him making valuable contributions with the bat, the ball, and he’s a livewire on the field.”
“After the 100 against West Indies in Rajkot, he knows how to get a big score; before that he was playing cameos, staying leg side of the ball and playing everything towards the square of the wicket on the off-side. Now he’s got a complete game to be successful in any condition and in any situation,” VVS Laxman concluded.
