India Should Play Six Batsmen In Wellington Test: VVS Laxman

India will play New Zealand in the first Test of their two-match Test series beginning from Friday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. As per the conditions in Wellington, former Indian great VVS Laxman feels Team India should play the first Test with six batsmen.

Having already lost the ODI series to the hosts, India will be eyeing revenge when they take to the field at the Basin Reserve. India are on a streak of winning seven consecutive Test matches, and they will love to keep that run going against New Zealand as well.

However, the Kiwis will pose a stern challenge to Virat Kohli‘s men, as the home conditions will favour them, which is why Laxman believes that India should start the first Test with an extra batsman in the lineup.

VVS Laxman wants India to go with six batters:

The 45-year-old Laxman made his thought clear in his column for TOI, writing that he would fancy India to play six batsmen as the track in Wellington favours the bowlers, which means extra batter down the order could be helpful.

He wrote, “In a short away series, I would prefer India play six batsmen, Wriddhiman Saha as the wicketkeeper and three quicks among the four bowlers.”

One man who has impressed Laxman the most is Hanuma Vihari. Having hit a century in the warm-up match versus New Zealand XI, Vihari will be raring to go all-out in the first Test.

Laxman further added, “I was pleased that Hanuma Vihari made a century in Hamilton (warm-up game). He has had to sit out whenever India have played five bowlers, and time spent in the middle with Chesteshwar Pujara for company will stand him in good stead once the Tests start.”

At the end of his column, the former Indian legend backed Umesh Yadav to start the first Test, with Ishant Sharma having joined the team only recently.

“If the team management is convinced that Ishant Sharma is a risk-free proposition, he will automatically walk into the XI to form the pace battery with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. (But) If there is even the slightest question mark over Ishant’s match-fitness, Umesh Yadav should get his opportunity, especially after having held his own on the less responsive tracks in India,” he signed off.

The first test between India and New Zealand will begin on February 21 with the second Test scheduled for 29th February at Christchurch.