IND vs SA: VVS Laxman Wants Shreyas Iyer To Play Ahead Of Ajinkya Rahane In Test Series

Former Indian batter VVS Laxman said that he would prefer to give chance to youngster Shreyas Iyer ahead of Ajinkya Rahane in the South Africa Test series.

Rahane missed the second Test as BCCI said the senior player sustained a minor hamstring injury. The Mumbai batter was once again under scrutiny for not scoring big runs after he made 35 & 4 in the first Test.

Shreyas Iyer had an incredible start to his Test career as he scored 105 & 65 on his debut against New Zealand in Kanpur.

Ajinkya Rahane cannot play in the first match: VVS Laxman

Laxman believes that Iyer should be given more opportunities to groom himself and he would bench Rahane for the former Delhi Capitals skipper.

“According to me, Ajinkya Rahane cannot play in the first match. Continuity is very important, so I will play Shreyas Iyer because if you give someone two Test matches and the way he batted on debut under pressure,” Laxman said on Star Sports.

“He scored a century and a half-century, so I will give that continuity, the confidence that you want to give to a young batsman, I will definitely give that,” he added.

I will definitely include Hanuma Vihari in the squad: VVS Laxman

Hyderabad batter Hanuma Vihari was not included in the Indian squad for the New Zealand Test series and instead was sent to South Africa to play for India A team.

Vihari scored 151 from three innings at an average of 75.50 against the South Africa A team so far in the two unofficial Tests. Laxman said he would include Vihari in the Indian squad for the South Africa Tests.

“I will definitely include Hanuma Vihari in the squad because with what combination does Virat Kohli play. We have seen that the top five will be batters, Rishabh Pant at No.6 as a wicketkeeper-batsman,” Laxman said.

India will play against the Proteas in three Tests and as many ODI matches with the tour starting on December 26.

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