Former Indian star cricketer VVS Laxman feels that Shreyas Iyer should start ahead of Ajinkya Rahane in the 1st Test of India’s next series versus South Africa. Team India will compete in 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 4 T20Is versus South Africa.
Whereas, Rahane’s performance has been a source of concern for the Indian team. The batsman had not been able to establish big runs recently and is going through a drought with the bat. Shreyas Iyer, on the other side, marked his Test debut in Kanpur with a century in the 1st innings. He subsequently added an outstanding half-century in the 2nd. Laxman believes Iyer played incredibly effectively under pressure and therefore should be offered the motivation to keep up his recent form.
“According to me, Ajinkya Rahane cannot play in the first match. Continuity is very important, so I will play Shreyas Iyer because if you give someone two Test matches and the way he batted on debut under pressure. Iyer scored a century and a half-century, so I will give that continuity, the confidence that you want to give to a young batsman, I will definitely give that,” VVS Laxman said in an Interaction.
You can’t take Jadeja lightly as a batsman anymore: Laxman
The senior also stated that Hanuma Vihari should be included in the team for the South Africa Tests. “I will definitely include Hanuma Vihari in the squad because with what combination does Virat Kohli play. We have seen that the top five will be batters, Rishabh Pant at No.6 as a wicketkeeper-batsman,” Laxman said.
Laxman went on to say that Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round skills come in very handy, and his exploits with the bat, especially in foreign circumstances, should not be underestimated. He also spoke out on India’s bowling attack, suggesting that the team should just go with 3 pace bowlers and Ravi Ashwin.
“Jadeja can play as an all-rounder because he performs with the bat as well and you can’t take Jadeja lightly as a batsman anymore, even in overseas conditions. So Jadeja will be at No.7 and after that, four bowlers – three fast bowlers and Ravichandran Ashwin. So this will be the combination,” Laxman added.
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