VVS Laxman Hints At A Problematic Pattern Developing In The Indian Middle Order

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has pointed out a certain pattern that is developing amongst the Indian batsman, the middle-order in particular, which is a big concern heading into the South Africa tour.

Laxman elaborated on how players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are getting out in the same fashion over and over again. He also criticized opener, Shubman Gill, for being unable to convert starts into big scores which is necessary in the longest format.

“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 which 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,” Laxman said on the Star Sports show, Follow The Blues.

“As a batting unit, you will have to fire” – VVS Laxman

Of late, the Indian lower-order has been saving the blushes of the middle order far too often. There have been many instances where the No.6 and lower end up playing much better than the fabled middle-order. This is unacceptable at the highest level and Laxman implied that they have to perform in South Africa if Virat Kohli and co. are to win.

“As it is, India plays with five genuine batters, then you have an all-rounder in the form of 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.”

“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,” Laxman added.

The Indian team will fly out to Johannesburg on December 16, with the tour set to begin on December 26.

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