Asking Vihari to open is unfair on him: Laxman

Former India cricketer VVS Laxman feels that asking youngster Hanuma Vihari to open the innings was unfair to him. He also believes that axing Murali Vijay wasn’t a correct decision by the team management.

Laxman surprised by India’s new opening pair 

The former right-hand batsman was speaking at an online cricket portal when he expressed his views regarding India’s new opening pair. He stated that he is very surprised with the opening combination.

He noted that especially on this tour, where Australia have got three quality fast bowlers, the importance of playing out overs and seeing off the new ball so that the middle-order batsmen can come and play their style of cricket, so he is surprised.

"None of us should have opened" – VVS Laxman compares his days opening in Tests to Hanuma Vihari's attempt today #AUSvIND #MatchDay pic.twitter.com/n2j3oXCjT6

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 26, 2018

Unfair on a youngster to push him at unfamiliar position: Laxman

He also made it clear that it is really unfair and unfortunate for Vihari to open in an international match. According to Laxman, when you’re opening in first-class cricket or limited-overs cricket, the mindset is totally different. In Test cricket, against a formidable fast-bowling lineup, it is a challenge.

Laxman gave credit to Vihari, as he noted that at the Oval and at Perth on tough wickets and in challenging circumstances he’s shown the grit and temperament and fight. Having said that, Laxman felt it’s unfair on a youngster who is playing his third Test match to push him into a position he’s not familiar with.

A positive sign, or is Hanuma Vihari not the answer to India's opening troubles? #AUSvIND

Live report: https://t.co/pRpsw56qqm
Ball-by-ball: https://t.co/Ykh3j8BScj pic.twitter.com/Qnm1kXJAcb

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 26, 2018

Laxman backs Vijay

https://twitter.com/rs_social15/status/1077742468089724929

At the same time, Laxman feels Vijay should have received another chance. He said that while Mayank Agarwal would have been an automatic choice, particularly when keeping in mind that Prithvi Shaw is out of the series and KL Rahul is struggling with his confidence level,Murali Vijay showed a glimpse of what Murali Vijay can do.

Also read: Rahul dropped, IND,AUS declare team for 3rd Test

He noted that in the second innings at Perth, even though Vijay got out playing a bad shot, the way he was leaving the ball and getting into position when playing his trademark cover-drives, you just felt that he was getting back confidence and rhythm.