Unbelievable Onslaught Of The Highest Quality: VVS Laxman On England's Batting In The 2nd ODI Against India

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman was in awe of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes as they powered England to a series-levelling victory on Friday against India in the second ODI in Pune. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow dished out a hammering as they chased 337 with six wickets and 39 balls to spare. VVS Laxman admitted that people would remember it for many more years to come.

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow stitched their second consecutive century stand to set a strong base. Ben Stokes joined Bairstow after the former’s run-out as a result of a horror mix-up. Stokes and Bairstow added 175 off only 117 balls to put England firmly in control. Jonny Bairstow earned the man of the match award for his 124, while Stokes was unfortunate to walk back for 99.

India’s inexperienced bowling attack proved toothless in the face of England’s batting prowess, with only Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Prasidh Krishna being amongst the wickets. The home side’s spinners, in particular, endured a tough time as they conceded 156 runs in 16 overs without any scalps. Thus, these are worrying signs for them.

If at all India had to pull off the game it was through the fast bowler: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman opined that even though India removed Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession, England required only a few more runs then. VVS Laxman also expressed surprise when Virat Kohli bowled the spinners after Prasidh Krishna took two wickets since he believed only a fast bowler could bring India back in the game. Simultaneously, the 134-Test veteran could not help but praise England’s batsmen shellacking and admitted that their performances are unforgettable as it was pure class.

“It was very difficult to get (when 3 quick England wickets fell), just 35 more runs were needed then, even though you got the wicket of Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler. The way Prasidh Krishna came in that over and took 2 wickets. I was a little surprised that again went to Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav because if at all India had to pull off the game it was through the fast bowler. Virat Kohli missed a trick there but overall an unbelievable onslaught of highest quality. The power-hitting was unbelievable, the carnage from both Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes will be remembered for a long time. It was just pure class,” Laxman told Star Sports.

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