“India must go with the strongest team in the last Test” – VVS Laxman not in favour of resting players for Manchester

Former Team India batter VVS Laxman feels that Virat Kohli must not rest any of his key players for the fifth and final Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. According to Laxman, although Jasprit Bumrah has bowled a lot of overs in the series, it would not be a wise move to give him a breather.

Kohli admitted in a recent press conference that Team India will look to rotate the bowlers to prevent them from burning out. Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami did not feature in The Oval Test.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Laxman stated that Team India must go in with their best players in their attempt to win the Manchester Test.

“Team India have to play Jasprit Bumrah in the last Test. Yes, you have won the Test match and you can’t lose the Test series from hereon. But I think Team India’s dream is to beat England in England. I will play the strongest bowling line-up. And, if Mohammed Shami is fit, he would come back into the playing XI. Team India must go with the strongest team and in-form players in the last Test match. You don’t want to give any chance for England to come back and level the series,” Laxman stated.

Asked to elaborate on his definition of Team India’s best XI for the last Test, the former batter revealed that he would pick Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari instead of Ajinkya Rahane.

“I would still stick with Shardul Thakur and, if the conditions are not going to be spinner-friendly in Manchester, then I would give a break to Ravindra Jadeja and bring in Ravichandran Ashwin. Thakur gives balance with his medium pace, he can bat as well and he would be high on confidence. I’ll get in Hanuma Vihari to play in place of Ajinkya Rahane,” Laxman added.

Jadeja claimed two crucial wickets on the final day, dismissing Haseeb Hameed and Moeen Ali. Rahane’s woes, though, continued as he managed only 14 and 0. He was also demoted to No. 6 in the batting order.

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Edited by Sai Krishna