Rohit shouldn’t make errors I made: VVS Panchal, Lad hit fifties in drawn tie
NEWDELHI: A change in technique after being asked to open had a negative impact on his performance during his playing days and no wonder VVS Laxman wants Rohit Sharma to stick to his natural game in his new role during the South Africa Test series.
Laxman was one of the earlier examples in Indian cricket, who was forced to open the innings between 1996-98 despite being a specialist middle-order batsman, a role he never felt comfortable with. “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”.
Laxman, who also was a touch player like the wristy Mumbaikar, could relate to Rohit’s situation and spoke about how a tweak in technique messed his rhythm.
“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 middleorder batsman, whether it’s batting No 3 or No 4,” said the 44-year-old, who scored 8781 runs in 134 Tests. “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 t old t he f ormer I ndia stumper. “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 stylist was candid in his confession. However Laxman didn’t discount that there is a basic discipline, more so in mindset that an opener must have and he is confident that a player of Rohit’s calibre can imbibe that after so many years of international experience.
“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.
“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,” he added. VIZIANAGARAM: Rohit Sharma’s trial run as an opener lasted only two deliveries as he left without troubling the scorers in a drawn t hree- day warm- up game between Board President’s XI and South Africa on Saturday.
Test aspirants Priyank Panchal (60, 77 balls) and keeper batsman Kona Bharat’s quickfire 71 off 57 balls were the highlight of Board President XI’S 265 for 8 in 64 overs. Mumbai batsman Siddhesh Lad (52) also helped himself to a half-century after South Africa declared their first innings at 279 for 6. Temba Bavuma (87) remained unbeaten, while Vernon Philander (48 off 49 balls) added quick runs to the total. All eyes were on Rohit during the final day of the game as he came out to open alongside Mayank Agarwal (39).
Seamer Philander got his delivery to move a shade and Rohit edged one to substitute keeper Heirich Klaasen, who kept wickets instead of Quinton de Kock. It was an ideal situation to get quality batting time ahead of the first Test but Rohit fluffed his lines at the onset.
While Kagiso Rabada is their strike bowler, Philander with his ability to swing the new ball both ways could prove to be a bigger threat for Rohit, who is not exactly big on feet movement during the initial part of the innings. Brief Scores: South Africa 279/6 vs Board President’s XI 265/8