The Batsmen Didn’t Do Themselves Any Favours - VVS Laxman On Team India's Aggressive Batting Approach

Former India batsman, VVS Laxman feels that the Indian team should revert to their traditional batting approach as the experiment of the new aggressive style wasn’t effective in the first T20I against England in Ahmedabad.

The hosts lost 3 wickets for the score of 20 – which then slipped to 48/4 – as the top-order players looked to bat with attacking intent, instead of their previous manner of giving themselves time to set and then launching an attack.

VVS Laxman reckons this template of incessant attacking, despite losing wickets which teams like England and West Indies bat with, isn’t suiting the Indian side, but their conservative approach has brought them immense success in the past.

“There can’t be one template for all. While there has been talk of conservatism in the way India have gone about things in the Powerplay, it’s a formula that has worked for them. By going against their grain and trying to tee off from the beginning, India didn’t do themselves any favours,” VVS Laxman wrote in his column for Times of India.

“India have reiterated their ability to bounce back more than once in the recent past, but England’s ruthlessness with the bat and their bowling brilliance will require Virat Kohli’s men to raise their game significantly over the next week,” he added.

Imperative to put your strongest side against the best team in the world: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman is also left unimpressed with the management deciding to rest Rohit Sharma from the first T20I, which India lost abjectly. The 46-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator opines that while giving opportunities to Shikhar Dhawan is fair enough.

However, when playing against the top-ranked ICC teams, Kohli should field his best available eleven. Laxman hopes to see Sharma back in the side for the second T20I on Sunday.

“Especially when you are playing the best team in the world, it’s imperative to put out your strongest side. While the idea of giving game-time to Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul is laudable, the in-form Rohit Sharma should have played in the opening game. I’d love to see Rohit return to the side immediately,” VVS Laxman further added.

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