Balance of the squad is very important for the T20 World Cup: VVS Laxman

2021 is an action-packed year for cricket fans across the globe. With a plethora of tournaments coming right your way, one can’t wait for it. The forthcoming T20 World Cup is set to take place in India and what would be the host’s combination going into the tournament? Former batsman VVS Laxman believes that finding the right balance in the squad must be a priority for such high magnitude ICC events.

A clarity on finisher’s role

“As far as the T20 World Cup is concerned, the balance of the squad is very very important. There are two areas where India really requires firepower. Number one is the finisher. We depend overly on Hardik Pandya. Apart from Hardik Pandya, I don’t see anyone else who can play that finisher’s role,” VVS Laxman said on Star Sports' show Cricket Connected.

While KL Rahul is considered more of a top-order player, Laxman suggests that in order to reduce the burden of finishing the innings on Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant can also play the role of finisher along with Pandya.

“Yes, there is KL Rahul, he is getting an opportunity but in T20s it is more top of the order. So, will they draft in Rishabh Pant who is a left-hand batsman and can play the big shots and finish off the innings well with Hardik Pandya,” he said. 

The depth of the Indian bowling unit is second to none, and there are several options for Captain Kohli to choose from a partner with Jasprit Bumrah to a bowl at the death overs.

“And in the bowling department, who along with Bumrah can bowl those death overs. We have got options in Natarajan or Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But that is one area in the bowling department which Virat Kohli requires to address,” he concluded.