VVS Laxman opined that no other batsman than home side's skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow could show character against the Indian attack.
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Former India batsman VVS Laxman has suggested that the England side will find it difficult to bounce back in the remaining three Test matches against India. His statements came after India defeated England by 151 runs in the second Test of the five-match series at Lord’s, to go 1-0 up. The home side were handed a target of 272 runs, but they failed to get there thanks to impressive performances by the Indian bowling attack. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers, accounting for a four-wicket haul. Referring to the remainder of the series, Laxman also felt that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane getting back to form will add to the hosts’ woes in the upcoming games.
What an incredible day of Test Match Cricket and one to remember for a long time for every Indian Fan.
Bumrah and Shami fighting with the bat early in the day, and pace attack of Siraj, Ishant, Bumrah, Shami giving it their all and India registering a sensational win #LordsTest pic.twitter.com/JB2lIZc4iM— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 16, 2021
“When the occasion so demanded in the second innings, the seasoned duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane hinted at a return to their best rhythm, which will further exacerbate England’s worries,” Laxman stated in his latest column on Times of India.
England are trailing 1-0 after the defeat at Lord’s in the second Test of the five-match series. Virat Kohli-led Team India registered a spectacular 151-run win over England on an incredible final day of the second Test match. Laxman felt that no other batsman than home captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow could show a strong character against the Indian attack.
“As brilliantly as Joe Root played in the first innings, he is practically waging a lone battle. Apart from Jonny Bairstow, no one inspires any hope, and I fear it could be a long three Tests ahead for the home side. From here on, I’d regard anything less than a comprehensive series win for India as a shock result,” VVS Laxman stated.
Nasser Hussain, former England captain, has said that the home team will not be able to win a Test match if the pattern of Joe Root performing and other batters failing continues.
England needed 272 runs to win in 60 overs. But the English batsmen failed to play out the overs, let alone winning the match. They were bowled out for 120 in 51.5 overs, with four batsmen gone for a duck. Once again, as has been the case throughout the first two Tests, skipper Root was the top scorer.
Hussain feels in order for England to make a comeback in the next three Tests, it’s imperative that more batsmen put their hand up as over-reliance on Root isn’t going to take the team far.
“England did play a lot of good cricket at Lord’s, let’s not forget that. When Rishabh Pant was walking off on Monday we all thought it could be 1-0 to England. India do have frailties in their batting. But England can’t win Tests with just one player in Root getting runs.”
However, he also added that it’s not right to write them off just yet. “Robinson has been an incredible find when there have been so many injuries to bowlers. So let’s not write them off just yet, but they desperately need others to score runs,” he added.
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