IND vs SA | South African bowling lacks penetration and Rohit should capitalise, advises VVS Laxman

IND vs SA | South African bowling lacks penetration and Rohit should capitalise, advises VVS Laxman

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VVS Laxman has stated that there is a slight change in mindset but Rohit Sharma shouldn't tweak his technique so much in Test cricket in order to be successful in five-day format. Laxman has also added that South African bowling lacks penetration and it won't be difficult for him to score runs.

As a matter of fact, Rohit has scored 1,585 runs at an average of 39.62 in Test cricket with three hundreds and 10 fifties but never able to settle his place in the squad. He was tried at No.3, No.4, No.5 but everything fell apart because he never got the long rope that many of his teammates have enjoyed. With the opening being his new position in Test cricket, this could be the Rohit's last chance in Tests. Laxman, who was also promoted to the opening position although reluctantly, knows a thing or two about being a make-shift opener. However, the former Indian batsman hopes that the Mumbaikar wouldn't commit the same mistake that he did when he was asked to open.

"The biggest advantage that Rohit has is his experience, which I didn't have. I opened in Test cricket only after playing four Test matches. Rohit has played 12 years of international cricket. So he has the maturity and the experience and he is also in good form," Laxman told former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta, during an interview on latter's YouTube channel "Deep Point".

"I believe the mistake that I made while opening the innings was to change my mindset, which got me a lot of success as a middle-order batsman, whether it's batting No 3 or No 4. I also tried to change my technique. As a middle-order batsman, I was always having a front press (front-foot trigger) and then go towards the ball, whereas talking to seniors and coaches, I went to back and across as I had to face Curtly Ambrose (97-away series), who would generate steep bounce from length. This huge change in approach affected my batting and I hope Rohit shouldn't do it," Laxman told the former India wicket-keeper.

While perception decoded something else, Rohit was not as bad in Tets cricket in recent years as the discussion suggests. In the Melbourne Test against Australia, Rohit took guard at 299/4 and his 63 not out helped India reach a commendable score of 443 for 7. His first innings score of 37 runs in Adelaide was the second-highest after Cheteshwar Pujara's 123, which rescued India from 41 for 4 on the first day. In Centurion against South Africa, Rohit's second innings 47 in a total of 151 was the highest for India and something that gets overlooked more often in the discussion. Laxman too believes Rohit can be successful.

"There is a slight change in mindset but technique should remain the same. Yes, there are certain basics like initially, you shouldn't be fishing for balls outside the off-stump, not play too much away from the body, leave the bouncers. That mental discipline, which is very important. That discipline is also required is ODI also when white kookaburra swings," reminded Laxman.

"If you tweak your natural game too much, then you will not get the results as your mind gets cluttered and you tend to lose your rhythm. I can admit that my flow was affected when I opened. Rohit is a rhythm-based player and if his touch gets affected, then it will be difficult," the Hyderabadi said.

"Another thing that would work in his favour is opening for the first time in Indian conditions. So it is a good thing to open, when the wicket is fresh and evenly-paced and playing well. With a passage of time, batting can become difficult on uneven, abrasive surfaces, It could become difficult to play reverse swing, or when the ball is spinning," he observed.

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