ENG vs IND: VVS Laxman explains the decision of promoting Ravindra Jadeja at no. 5 spot

India rubbed shoulders with England on day one of the fourth Test match at The Oval and didn’t have a very good outing as they were wrapped up below 200 runs. The fact that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja came up at the no. 5 spot left many fans amused and in the same light, former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman has explained the reason behind the same.

Laxman explained that the pitch was offering a lot to England seamers and they had already got into a great rhythm bowling the right-handers. Hence, to disturb the rhythm of home bowlers and maintain the left-right combination, Jadeja was promoted to no.5. However, the result didn’t turn out to be very fruitful as Southpaw left the field after adding just 10 runs.

“Left-right combination would be the thinking behind sending Jadeja at No.5. There was a lot of help for the four England pacers in the air and off the wicket. When there is a left-right combination, you can break the rhythm of the opposition. Jadeja is batting really well of late and has three triple hundreds in first-class cricket. This was not on the spot decision, this would have been planned in the team meeting,” said Laxman while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Thakur deserves praise for the way he batted: VVS Laxman

The major talking point on day one was all-rounder Shardul Thakur’s heroics with the bat. When all the Indian batsmen struggled to get some runs apart from Virat Kohli, Thakur accelerated the innings rapidly. He played a vital knock of 57 off 36. Laxman also appreciated the Mumbai cricketer for his innings.

“When you are a top-order batsman, there is a fear of failure. But when you bat at No.8 with the tailenders, you can play fearlessly. Thakur deserves praise for the way he batted. He scored an important half-century, not only for Shardul Thakur but also for Team India because they could have got bowled out inside 150. It was an important innings just the way he played in Brisbane and brought the momentum in India’s favour. I will hope that he contributes with wickets too,” Laxman added.