VVS Laxman names the best sledgers he came across

Sledging is an age-old technique in order for teams to get under the skins of the opponents. The Australians are mostly known for adapting the strategy for putting the rivals under severe pressure. It can be done both on and off the field. Over the last few years, quite a few sledgers have also been a part of the Indian team, VVS Laxman named a couple of them.

During the launch of autobiography 281 and Beyond, the former Indian cricketer shed light on how sledging should be used only to distract the opponents and not to make a personal attack on any player. In the meantime, the 44-year-old retired cricketer from Hyderabad revealed that Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh are the best sledgers he came across.

You have to be mentally tough

“I felt the best sledgers I’ve come across were Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. Zaheer was so smart, he would talk about the things which may irritate the batsmen. Something as simple as ‘you are struggling now. I know that I’ve got you.’ It’s just about creating that iota of doubt in the batsman’s mind,” Harbhajan was quoted as saying in The Times of India (TOI).

“Aggression has to be very natural. Some players show off their aggression, some are internally aggressive. If you are trying to be someone who you are not, then you will struggle. Ultimately when you are playing at the highest level, you have to be mentally tough and mentally tough or having killer instinct doesn’t mean you show off your emotions. It’s about doing well in tough conditions. Whoever does that, will be mentally tough,” he added.

Harbhajan was a part of the ‘Monkeygate’ scandal back in 2007 when India toured Australia. He was accused of racially abusing Andrew Symonds after which he was handed a suspension. The Indians thereafter threatened to boycott the tour. The ban was lifted and the tour went along without any sort of interruption.

In the current Indian team, there is Indian captain Virat Kohli, who never shies away from expressing himself on the cricket pitch. The Delhi-born cricketer has often been criticised for not being able to control himself on the field of play.

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