IND vs NZ: VVS Laxman backs Shreyas Iyer to keep batting at No.5 in Mumbai Test

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman reckoned that Team India should take into account Shreyas Iyer’s performance ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, starting Friday, December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Iyer got the Player of the Match award on his maiden Test after scoring a ton in the first innings followed by 65 in the second.

Laxman said that skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid shouldn’t ignore Iyer’s performance in the Kanpur Test. He also was of the opinion that Mayank Agarwal should be excluded from the playing eleven for the upcoming match and suggested Cheteshwar Pujara as the opening partner for the young Shubman Gill.

Cheteshwar Pujara has the ability to open, says VVS Laxman

“Shreyas Iyer batted in both the innings and to get a hundred in his first Test series and then to follow it up with a fantastic half century. Both these innings, mind you, have come when the team was under pressure, so it was a fantastic performance from Shreyas Iyer,” Laxman told on Star Sports.

“It will be difficult, but I believe that Mayank Agarwal in both the innings gave an underwhelming performance and was uncomfortable at the crease. Cheteshwar Pujara has the ability to open, he has opened the innings previously.”

Laxman said that if Pujara opens the batting, Ajinkya Rahane should take up the No.3 position with Virat Kohli in his usual No.4 position. Moreover, the veteran said that Iyer should keep batting at No.5 after how he performed at the Green Park.

“The number 3 position can be filled by Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli can come at number 4 and Shreyas can come in at number 5. So, I think it’s a tough call that Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli have to take. I hope that they take the right decision and don’t ignore the performance of Shreyas Iyer,” he added.

Despite Iyer’s best efforts, India couldn’t win the first Test. Due to bad light and stern resistance from the Black Caps’ lower order batters, the home team couldn’t pick up one wicket that they needed to win the game and take a crucial 1-0 lead in the two-match series.