Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has picked up two important areas that Team India needs to address before the T20 WC gets underway in October this year. The seventh edition of the T20 World Cup, which was supposed to be held last year in Australia, will be played during the October-November window in India later this year.
In a recent interaction, former Indian batsman VVS Laxman talked about some key aspects on which the team needs to focus in order to win the T20 WC 2021.
VVS Laxman Praises Hardik Pandya
For the latter, Laxman has opined that there’s no one better than pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya who is known for his ability to score big runs while accelerating the innings for his team.
“As far as the T20 World Cup is concerned, the balance of the squad is very very important. There are two areas where India really requires firepower. Number one is the finisher. We depend overly on Hardik Pandya. Apart from Hardik Pandya, I don’t see anyone else who can play that finisher’s role,” said VVS Laxman during Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
The 46-year-old veteran batsman believes that Rishabh Pant in the middle-order could provide the ideal assistance to Hardik Pandya in finishing games for India, as far as the T20 World Cup is concerned.
“Yes, there is KL Rahul, he is getting an opportunity but in T20s it is more top of the order. So, will they draft in Rishabh Pant who is a left-hand batsman and can play the big shots and finish off the innings well with Hardik Pandya,” the 46-year-old added.
VVS Laxman’s Advice for Bowling Unit
Coming to the bowling department, Laxman has reflected on who could partner with Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs. Laxman has favoured the promising T Natarajan, who made his debut in Australia, for the position while suggesting that Virat Kohli should assign specified roles to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the Tamil Nadu pacer.
“And in the bowling department, who along with Bumrah can bowl those death overs. We have got options in Natarajan or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But that is one area in the bowling department which Virat Kohli requires to address,” concluded the former Indian batsman.
