Score Big In First Innings To Put Pressure On New Zealand: VVS Laxman Advices India

Veteran Indian batsman VVS Laxman has a piece of advice for Team India and some strategies to gain an advantage over the Kiwis in Tests. India will take on New Zealand in a two-match Test series starting from February 21. After the bilateral series is evenly balanced out, it will be a test of dominance for the visitors on Kiwis shores.

India clinched the T20 series 5-0 by completely dominating the hosts. New Zealand got the payback in the ODIs by whitewashing India in the ODIs. The Tests will now prove to be the decider as to who emerges on top when the tour comes to a close.

The Biggest Challenge Will Be For The Young Openers: VVS Laxman

The first Test of the two-match series will begin from February 21 at Wellington. Before the game, India and New Zealand contested in a three-day practice match that ended in a draw.

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VVS Laxman Advices Team India On How To Pressurize New Zealand:

“The biggest challenge will be for the young openers. Mayank Agarwal did not have a great ODI series, he also bagged a pair with India A. And then, whether it is Prithvi Shaw or Shubman Gill, they are inexperienced. If we have to put pressure on the home team in their own conditions, you have to score big in the first innings. A lot will depend on how they counter the new ball attack of New Zealand,” Laxman told Star Sports.

In the practice match, Indian openers failed miserably in the first innings.

However, they made a comeback in the second innings and started strongly for the Men In Blue. Mayank Agarwal, in particular, played a gritty knock of 81 runs and retired himself out.

India is currently facing certain issues with their batting order. Regular openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are out of the squad due to injuries.

Besides, the team management’s decision of not including KL Rahul in the Tests comes more like a shock. Rahul won the Man of the Series award in the T20 series.

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