VVS Laxman has praised Rishabh Pant by saying he has the quality of making the opposition captain feel the heat once he spends some time in the middle. Pant played a crucial match-winning knock of 101 runs against England in the first innings of the fourth Test against England . And this helped the hosts to win the series 3-1.
With this win, India also progressed to the final of the World Test Championship which will be played from June 18-22 against New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
VVS Laxman speaks on Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav
“In this situation, it could just strengthen the finishers in the Indian team. Because over the last one and one and half years . We are overly dependent on Hardik Pandya, and Jadeja when he comes at number 7, but he plays cameos. But if there is one batsman in the Indian batting line-up who from the first ball can play those shots is Hardik Pandya. Rishabh Pant with the kind of form and maturity. It’s not only about the form but the maturity with which he’s batted in test matches. I think he will be a matchwinner,” Laxman said on Star Sports’ show ‘Game Plan’.
Speaking about Suryakumar Yadav who has just earned his first call-up to the national team, Laxman said, “He (Surya) deserves it, I think he is a great role model for youngsters, especially in India; because they lose patience very quickly – because all positive run getters in first class cricket expect to get into the Indian team – but it is difficult.”
