VVS Laxman Feels India Is Balanced In Both Batting And Bowling In 1st ODI
Mar 23, 2021 at 6:01 PM
VVS Laxman believes India has put together a balanced side in the first ODI against England and can beat the World Champions on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Skipper Virat Kohli made a bold choice, giving debuts to all-rounder Krunal Pandya and fast bowler Prasidh Krishna.
VVS Laxman: There Is A Lot Of Experience In The Batting Line-up
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and India’s new batting sensation Suryakumar Yadav missed out, as India went into the ODI with tried and tested batting line-up of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.
KL Rahul was designated to the keeping duties, while Kuldeep Yadav also made a return to the playing XI, joining Krunal Pandya in the spinners among the ranks.
Speaking on Star Sports after the team announcement, Laxman said: “Yes, India can challenge the world champions with this line-up. There is a lot of experience and exuberance in that batting line-up.”
“They have experience in form of Dhawan, Rohit, Virat, KL Rahul. Opportunity for Krunal Pandya,” he added.
VVS Laxman, former Indian batsman feels that in-form Suryakumar Yadav may not find a place in the playing XI for the opening 50-over game.
Suryakumar Yadav made his debut in the recently concluded T20I series against England. The right-handed swashbuckling batsman played three games and hit 57 and 32 in the fourth and final game respectively. In the second T20I, the debutant did not get a chance to bat.
Shreyas Iyer has scored 807 runs in 21 ODIs averaging 44.83 with 8 fifties and a ton. The ton came against New Zealand in February 2020.
VVS Laxman: Bowling Line-up Is Also Good Balanced Along With Variety
Prasidh Krishna was picked in 18 member ODI squad for the first time along with Suryakumar Yadav and Krunal Pandya for 3 ODIs. Prasidh Krishna’s domestic performances have been impressive. He was a driving force behind Karnataka winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day titles in 2017-18 and 2019-20.
He was the second-highest wicket-taker (17) in the 2017-18 edition, and also picked 17 scalps in the 2019-20 edition. In the just-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, he was among the top five wicket-takers with 14 scalps and helped Karnataka reach the semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions Mumbai.
“In the bowling line-up, there is also good balance, and also variety. There is Kuldeep Yadav, who can show, who would be looking to make an impact. Prasidh Krishna, what a great opportunity for him to represent the country. Truly, truly a future star for our country,” he further said.
“It’s a good balance. It’s just about posting at least 50 runs more than the par score, and then you can put pressure on England,” VVS Laxman signed off.
India has reached 317/5 in the stipulated 50 overs. KL Rahul has found his lost form as he along with debutant Krunal Pandya has scored the fifties and remained unbeaten. Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed on 98 while Virat Kohli scored 56. Krunal Pandya scored 58 not out while KL Rahul has scored 62 not out. Apart from Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya, the others scored the fifties.