Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman feels Cheteshwar Pujara will be mindful of the lean patch he is going through. Pujara hasn’t been able to fire at all cylinders and he hasn’t been able to get going in the recent past.
The right-hander, who is known for his solid technique, hasn’t oozed confidence in his batting.
The batsman from Saurashtra was averaging around 29 in the first cycle of the World Test Championship. In fact, a lot of cricket pundits questioned the batting approach of Pujara. The right-hander takes his own time before he gets going but the experts feel that he was getting bog down at one end. Furthermore, Pujara was failing to rotate the strike at regular intervals, which was putting more pressure on the other batsmen.
Laxman said while talking to Star Sports, “There is no doubt that Pujara will be mindful of the lean patch he is going through, as far as scoring those big fifties or scoring those hundreds and you expect a lot from Pujara at the No.3 position because that is a very important position along with both the openers.”
Meanwhile, Laxman added that Pujara will need to replicate the performance of Rahul Dravid, who was highly successful in English conditions. Dravid had an average of more than 60 in England and he also led India to 1-0 win in the 2007 series, which was the team’s last win on the English soil.
“In 2002 and 2007, the reason behind our victories on those two tours was because our top order and our No.3 batsman, which was Rahul Dravid, they fired. Once the top order sets a very good foundation, it allows the middle-order batsmen to come and play their natural game and while doing that you post a very healthy total in the first innings and you are always dictating the terms.”
Laxman added that vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is a very important member of India’s batting unit. However, the right-hander has been hot and cold in the recent past and hasn’t been that consistent. Laxman added that Rahane needs to sort out his technique against short pitched deliveries.
“Ajinkya Rahane is a very important member of this Indian batting lineup, especially in overseas conditions. I still remember the way he batted at Lord’s, in Melbourne and also the way he batted in South Africa was instrumental in India winning those Test matches.”
The first Test match between India and England will be played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
