VVS Laxman’s five names who could be groomed to solve sixth bowler problem

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman, commenting on the need to have a sixth bowling option for Team India, suggested five names who could be groomed to fill in that important spot. 

"An old bugbear continued to haunt India. Their make-up has been such that they have only pure batsmen or pure bowlers, with the exception of Ravindra Jadeja. That means Virat's hands are severely tied,” Laxman, 48, wrote in his column for The Times of India. 

India indeed missed the sixth bowler in both games. Although in the second match, an under-fit Hardik Pandya bowled four overs to pick up one wicket and delivered an economical spell. This was impressive, considering the way other bowlers were butchered. 

“Going forward, India must have a sixth bowling option, even if at the expense of a specialist batsman,” suggested the former wristy batsman. 

He further added that the best sides in the world always have 1-2 additional bowling options apart from four or five main bowlers. He then named those cricketers who could be groomed for that role. 

“I can think of five names that can slot in as the extra all-rounder, given Hardik isn't bowling these days. There is the spin trio of Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Krunal Pandya, as well as the medium-paced duo of Vijay Shankar and Shivam Dube.”  

Adding that these players need to be included in the squad as soon as possible, Laxman wrote, “Get any one or two of them into the squad, give them game-time, and groom them for the battles ahead.”

In the second game also, Indian bowlers were taken to the cleaners and the team was set a total of 390 to chase. The top-order disappointed once again as, apart from Kohli, nobody really showed the application to play the long haul. 

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