VVS Laxman wanted Rohit Sharma to stick to his natural game in his new role during the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa starting on October 2.
Laxman said that Rohit deserves praise for the manner in which he not only had a simple game plan at the top of the order but also stuck to it by implementing it in changing circumstances.
“Not only did he come with a clear game plan, but he also showed the discipline to stick to it, which to me was a huge tick in the box,” Laxman wrote in his column.
“Once he got his eye in and the pitch eased out a touch, he was back dotting the landscape with conventional free-flowing Rohit strokes. That he kicked on to score his maiden double-ton (in the third Test) was further proof of his desire to not be satisfied easily.”
“Batting with the maturity that experience brings with it, Rohit showcased impeccable judgment in the first session when an inspired Kagiso Rabada was making the most of assistance from the surface. With the ball jagging around, Rohit left balls outside off repeatedly, refusing to play unless he needed to,” he added.
Laxman also praised India’s pace attack for the ruthless efficiency they showed in the third Test in particular.
“Contrary to expectations, pace more than spin got the job done for the hosts after they amassed close to 500,” he said.
He stated that watching Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav not only pick up wickets but also how they did so was awesome.
“I was delighted that Shahbaz Nadeem made his debut, just reward for years of unsung toil in first-class cricket. It was a bonus that the debut came at his home ground, and the fact that he looked entirely at home in Test cricket bears testimony to the depth and robustness of the Indian domestic structure,” said Laxman in conclusion.
