'Important to not repeat mistakes' - VVS Laxman's advice for Indian top-order ahead of South Africa tour

Former India batter VVS Laxman has advised India against making the same mistakes before they embark on a challenging assignment that the upcoming South Africa tour is. The team will play three Tests and as many ODIs in the land of the Proteas, fresh after a 1-0 victory over New Zealand at home.

While Virat Kohli and Co. will land in South Africa as the No.1 ranked Test team, the team would also be aware that India is yet to register a series victory in that part of the world.

Highlighting a pattern in the dismissals of the Indian top-order against New Zealand, Laxman reckoned that the batters need to be cautious about not throwing their wicket away after doing all the hard yards and getting themselves a start.

“It’s very important not to repeat the same mistakes. If we saw the way Ajinkya Rahane got out in Kanpur, Pujara got out in Kanpur as well as in Mumbai, it’s almost like a pattern that is developing. Even Shubman Gill, after settling down and throwing away his wicket. So, I just believe it is about converting that start into a big score, which is very critical,” he said.

He stressed the need for the top five designated batters to contribute as India sticks to the strategy of playing five bowlers in Tests, alongside an all-rounder and a wicketkeeper, making the contributions from the top-order all the more important.

“As it is, India plays with five genuine batters, then you have an all-rounder in the form of [Ravindra] Jadeja, you then have a wicketkeeper-batter, so it is important for the top five batters to make it count once they get their eye in, once they spend time on the crease,” he added.

“Somewhere or the other I feel they are repeating the mistakes and throwing away their wickets after getting set, which you cannot do if you want to perform well against good teams and especially if you want to win the series in South Africa, as a batting unit you will have to fire.”