When we talk about Indian team going for tour down under (Australia) or ‘Baggy Greens’ touring India, there is only one name we can easily connect to this high intensity series, that is of VVS laxman. Notably, his 281 runs in the second innings against the mighty Australians at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2001, or his 148 runs in Adelaide in Dec 2003. On Wednesday, laxman along with former Indian captain and pacer Kapil Dev were involved in Star Sports unplugged chat discussing upcoming Indian tour to Australia. laxman tells Jatin Verma on his views about the Indian team for the tour, Suresh Raina being dropped from the ODI squad and the comeback of Yuvraj Singh.
on aus tour
Winning the Adelaide game in 2008 was really a starting point for us. Then comes Perth after what had happened in Sydney, all of us wanted to win for Harbhajan Singh. At that time the pitch was not like any other run-feast, those were tough conditions to bat on and to win that fashionably was really satisfying. If you see the history of the cricket, Australia is one team that has maintained its passion and same form throughout for the last 40-50 years and if you see they always come up very hard on the opponents, they are one team who is never out of the frame, and that is what tour down under makes it so interesting to watch when both the teams are of at equal level and playing with lot of aggression and high intensity.
On Raina being dropped
It’s a little harsh on him because I think he did really well in the World Cup. But I will say this at coming in at number six and when the asking rate is over 8 and 9, it’s very difficult to always give your best. It is always a tough situation whenever he walks out to bat. He is an impact player and a true match-winner. Having said that, I think this exclusion can be good for him because I remember this is what exactly happened to Yuvraj Singh before the 2011 WC, because he was not fit fully but then we all saw how powerfully he made his mark at the tournament. It will hurt Raina but it will make him hungrier to perform in the T20’s.
on Yuvraj, Nehra comeback
I am really happy that the selectors have made the right decision to include them in the T20 squad. Yuvraj is probably the world’s best finisher cricketing world has ever seen. There was this area of concern as who can bat at No. 6.7 so in my opinion I think Yuvraj fits best there. He has performed well in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare tournament, more than that he is a rhythm player that is what you look in a batsman. On recalling Ashish Nehra, I am really happy. I think he is an inspiration to youngsters. He has not played international cricket for last two-three years but the way he has worked hard on his body is a rare inspiration. He is a bowler who does tough job for the team bowling in the beginning and then bowling at the death. In the past he has done a terrific job for India and I am sure he can reciprocate the same. He is still a valuable asset to the team.
on Rising batsman — Rahane
He is one of those cricketers who will shock you every day with his class, technique and beyond your expectations. The way he played in Delhi was exceptional. If you start scoring in all formats of the game under different situations is it easy or tough, you start becoming a complete player and that is what he is right now. Right from the time I had started watching Rahane, he had lots and lots of big scores before making his international debut in Test match but in ODI format he is still somewhat struggling. His stint with Rajasthan Royals has surely helped him because he understood what is required to perform consistently in ODI format. The biggest challenge was for him when he was left out the squad for Bangladesh tour, and I wanted to see how will he comebackIJ But I was really happy with his comeback against Proteas.
on india’s pace attack
If you have to do well in Australia, you have to pick up wickets real quick. If you are not picking wickets early on or in the middle of the innings, then you will be hammered by the Australians. There is a lot of character in all the bowlers. They have to carry the same mindset and the same kind of aggression which they had in the WC.
on Chances of beating Aus
In my opinion, yes I do think that the current Australian team is beatable and the reason for that is retirement of two great players- Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke and also Mitchell Starc getting injured. But apart from that, the quality and the balance of this team is very good and also the confidence they carrying from the World Cup and recently concluded South Africa series will definitely give them the boost and motivation to win there.
on Team selection
I think the selectors deserve big thumbs up for selecting a good, balance team which have the desire to win and fight back. I am happy that youngsters who have done well in the domestic matches have been given a chance. Selectors are looking at a specific short-term goal of winning the World T20 in India while the ODI squad is an indicator towards the core of the 2019 WC which is what they should do.
on winning mantra
Before going there for the 1999 tour (he scored 167 at SCG), I saw the Pakistan series on TV and felt the bounce was too much. So I decided to practice on cemented wickets with plastic balls for my simulation. Now in Australia, you cannot offer a straight full face of the bat; it has to come down with an angle. If the bat comes down straight, ball will fly towards slip or gully. Also the general mistake that a young batsman tends to make is that he thinks he will get out to the back of the length delivery.