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VVS Laxman analyzes India's victory against West Indies: Virat Kohli's men hit back with a vengeance
VVS Laxman heaps praise on Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya Rahane and others after their brilliant performance against West Indies in the first Test at Antigua
Team India kick started their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a bang as they beat a mediocre West Indies side comfortably by 318 runs. More than the batters, it was the bowlers who were on fire throughout the Test. Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah picked up five-wicket hauls in the first and second innings respectively.
Virat Kohli, known for making tactical decisions while selecting the playing XI went for Hanuma Vihari ahead of Rohit Sharma. The former got the nod for his ability to bowl off-spinners. He made amends with the bat as he notched up 32 and 93.
Former India and Hyderabad batsman VVS Laxman was very much impressed by Vihari's approach towards his batting and feels that he has it in him to survive in the international arena.
He wrote in his column in TOI, "I was impressed with the way Hanuma Vihari approached his task. He batted freely without taking undue risks, and has looked like he belongs in Test cricket from the time he made his debut in England last year."
"By contrast, KL Rahul will be extremely disappointed with himself for having done all the hard work in both innings and then getting himself out."
On Ajinkya Rahane's knock, Laxman wrote, "It's never easy when you are playing only one format of the game internationally, as was evident from Cheteshwar Pujara's travails. That alone puts Ajinkya Rahane's twin efforts with the bat in perspective."
"He must have felt some pressure after not having scored a Test hundred in more than two years. Even though he had the backing of the selectors and team management, the vice-captain would have been desperate to leave his mark, and his reaction upon reaching three figures showed just how much this century meant to him."
On India being favorites to win the ICC World Test Championship, VVS Laxman felt, "India were overwhelming favorites heading into the first Test in Antigua, but even they must have been taken aback by the meekness with which West Indies capitulated on the fourth evening to hand them their biggest win on overseas soil. Few would have bargained for the one-sidedness of the contest after India lost three wickets for next to nothing on Day one, but playing like the No.1 Test side in the world, Virat Kohli's men hit back with a vengeance."
Laxman was also impressed with the performance of India's pace bowling attack. "India's fast bowlers once again put on a show. Ishant was excellent throughout the game and Mohammed Shami troubled all batsmen, but the one who stood out was Jasprit Bumrah. In the past, the predominantly inswing bowler occasionally got the ball to straighten. It is a tribute to the work he has put in the nets that now, he is able to take the ball away from the right-hander at will. His relentless attack of the stumps in the West Indies second innings was breathtakingly impactful."
The second Test will commence at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica on 30th August.
