VVS Laxman bats for day-night Test

Mumbai: V.V.S. Laxman has backed day and night Tests but felt the use of pink ball is still a work in progress. The former India batsman praised current Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the eighth Dilip Sardesai lecture here on Thursday.

“Day and night Test cricket is the way forward. It is still a work in progress especially in India. It depends on how to tackle dew, maintain balance between bat and ball and not compromise with traditional skills i.e. spin. But it can bring fans back to Test cricket,” he said.

“There is not much grass on Indian wickets and has abrasive nature. We have to ensure ball will not lose hardness and shine. Kookaburra is trying, lot of effort and time will go in it. There should be even platform for batters and bowlers. The turnouts in Adelaide for Australia and New Zealand were impressive and short in the arm,” he added.

Laxman said Kolhi was the present and future of Indian cricket. “Virat is present and future of Indian cricket. Not many have reached his level so quickly. He has been consistent in Tests also since the Australia tour and his Test average will improve like Twenty20 and ODI cricket. KL Rahul is classic example of playing conventional style cricket and getting successful in T20 also. Virat plays to his strengths and is conventional cricketer; he has a long way to go in Tests. He is great batsman and a good leader. We also should offer incentives to Test performances so that players are well rewarded,” he said.

Laxman, a stylist in his heyday, also called Ashwin a match winner. “Ashwin is one of the best. He has evolved as a cricketer.He is a thinking cricketer,” he said.