VVS Laxman: India overly depend on one or two batters in overseas conditions

Former Team India batsman VVS Laxman highlighted the point which Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli need to address before the IND-ENG Test series

Virat Kohli-led Team India will be gearing up for the first Test of their tour of England which begins from tomorrow. Virat Kohli and Co will be looking to overturn things this time and look for a series win after their last three outings now being that fruitful.

Former India cricketer VVS Laxman knows a thing or two about performing well in England as he has done so during his career.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Game Plan, former Team India batsman VVS Laxman highlighted the point which Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli need to address before the IND-ENG Test series, "I believe the overall mindset of the Indian team has changed. With the win in Australia in 2020, the way they beat Australia in Brisbane and win the series in that fashion, in spite  a lot of first-choice players not being available, shows that there’s a lot of depth and character in this team. I think the fast-bowling unit has become very formidable, and they are high on confidence from the way they have performed all over the world. One thing that Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli need to address is - the match-winning performances from their batsmen. They overly depend on one or two batters in overseas conditions, especially in conditions like England. If you want to beat England in a five-Test series, then you want to have a collective performance from your batting unit. You can’t expect one or two batsmen to perform, and then you expect to win the series. And that is something that Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli would like to address."

VVS Laxman went on to talk about how it is a defining series for key players. "For me, Pujara, Rahane, all the batsmen in this Indian batting lineup are experienced and are quality. Everyone will have a different formula, and everyone will have a different approach to score runs. There is an approach that Virat Kohli has – which he has consistently maintained throughout his career - then there is an approach Pujara has shown, and Rahane has shown, or Rohit Sharma is showing as an opener. So, I think it is important for the team management to back each and every player to show confidence in their approach," he said.

VVS Laxman also picked key players from both the teams and said, "Well, from India’s point of view, I will pick Rishabh Pant and also, from the bowling lineup, I will pick Jasprit Bumrah. From England, I will back the warhorse, Jimmy Anderson, and from the batting department, I will go for their skipper Joe Root."

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