Former India batsman VVS Laxman has advises Team India not to repeat the mistakes while heading on the challenging and important South Africa tour. The squad will face off in 3 Tests and 3 ODIs in South Africa, coming off a 1-0 triumph against New Zealand at home.
Whereas Virat Kohli and crew will arrive in South Africa as the top-ranked Test squad, they will also be conscious that India has yet to win a series in that portion of the globe.
Noticing a tendency in the sackings of the Indian top-order versus New Zealand, Laxman believes the batters must be careful about handing their wicket away after putting in all the work and effort and establishing a lead.
It’s very important not to repeat the same mistakes: VVS
“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 that 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.
He highlighted the importance of efforts from the top 5 specified batters, as India keeps playing 5 bowlers in Tests, along with an all-rounder and a wicketkeeper, focusing on the performances from the top-order.
“As it is, India plays with five genuine batters, then you have an all-rounder in the form of [Ravindra] 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.
“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.”
