Cheteshwar Pujara And Ajinkya Rahane Were Very Tentative, Virat Kohli Was Shuffling A Bit Too Much - VVS Laxman Analyses Trio's Struggles At Lord's

Former India batsman VVS Laxman aired his observation regarding the dismissals of the much-scrutined trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, at Lord’s against England.

All the three batsmen failed to once again put up a big total and continue their rut; since the start of 2020, all three average less than 26, and have only one century – Rahane at MCG – between them. While Kohli the skipper is assured of his place, the other two batsmen around him could face the axe if they don’t put a remarkable contribution soon.

Observing the dismissals of Pujara and Rahane, VVS Laxman said that both seemed at unease at the crease, have been tentative with their footwork and are short of confidence. Both Pujara and Rahane edged deliveries outside off to the men behind them.

“I feel that Pujara is too restless, he’s too tentative. And when you’re too tentative, you always poke at deliveries which you’re supposed to leave.  And in front of him, you have two stroke players who were showing so much discipline when the ball was going outside the off-stump. Whereas if you see Pujara’s dismissal, there was no feet movement – both the feet were together and the back leg didn’t cover the off stump – and once you do that, you are always playing with the hands, and exposing that outside edge,” VVS Laxman told ESPNcricinfo.

“The disappointing factor is that this is not the first time he has got out like this – in the last two years, against fast bowlers, he has got out in a very similar pattern. That is something that will disappoint Pujara.

“With Rahane there’s a technical issue and also an eagerness to score because you know that you have got a string of low scores behind. In Nottingham also, he was restless and got run out. And today you saw very very tentative footwork, and whenever you’re indecisive, you’re always reaching out for the ball, especially when you’re not high in confidence. That’s exactly what has happened in Rahane’s case,” he added.

At the moment, Kohli is shuffling too much: VVS Laxman

On Kohli, the 46-year-old commentator feels that the Indian skipper is shuffling more than he did on his successful tour in 2018. Kohli also got out nicking in the slips, and VVS Laxman reckons it is because of his extra shuffle.

“I feel that in 2018, he was not moving so much as he is doing now. That’s the reason why he is not able to play a lot more shots freely through the off side, because subconsciously he feels that those balls are supposed to be left. I think the shuffle is little more than what he did in 2018. Once he sorts out his shuffle, he will be able to play the balls on both sides of the wicket. At the moment, he is shuffling too much,” he said.

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