Former Indian cricketers call for Laxman's exclusion in favor of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 - Cricket News Update
The formidable Indian line-up including likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 miserably collapsed against the new-look Australian attack in the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match series down under.
The Sydney debacle last week was India’s sixth straight Test defeat abroad and it raised many eyebrows in the Indian media as well as cricketing circles. Dhoni and his men are facing a crisis they never thought of, and in the limelight
is the beleaguered Laxman.
Following India’s back to back Test defeats at the hands of a relatively inexperienced Australian line-up, there are growing calls for out of form VVS Laxman’s ax in favour of prolific young batsman, Rohit Sharma.
Before the ongoing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 tour, Laxman had a terrific record down under with an average of 54.05 in 11 matches, compiling 1081 runs including four centuries and three half centuries.
However in the ongoing Test series against Australia, Laxman has compiled only 71 runs in four innings, which also includes his Sydney Test’s second innings 66. In the rest of the three innings, Laxman scored 2, 2 and 1.
Former world cup winning captain of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kapil-Dev-c70234 urged the team management and Indian selectors to pick up the squad based on recent performance and not on the basis of past laureals.
"A line-up may look brilliant on paper, but whether it's the best or not depends how it fares on the given day,” said the legendary all-rounder of India while speaking to the media reporters after his compatriots faced an innings
and 68 runs crushing at Sydney last week.
“Retirement is something a player should understand. But if you are not performing and the team isn't winning, your past laurels shouldn't help you retain a berth," Dev added further.
Another former Indian cricketer and former selector, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kiran-Shankar-More-c71494 also called for some changes in India’s playing XI, especially in their batting line up.
"I would play both Virat and Rohit in Perth,” said More. “You should let Virat play. He should be given more chances. If you drop him now, he will not enjoy his cricket anymore," he added further.
Sharma, the 24-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Maharashtra-c811 batsman, is yet to debut in the Test format of the game but he has proven his prowess in the limited-overs format. Till date he has featured in 72 One Day Internationals and averages 34.80 with
a tally of 1810 ODI runs under his belt. He is widely considered as a talented middle order batsman and India’s future batting prospect.
Third Test of the series begins at WACA, Perth on Friday, January 13.
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