Former Indian stalwart, VVS Laxman has said that the Indian team showed a lack of discipline for more extended periods in all the departments which resulted in a series whitewash in the two-match Test series against New Zealand.
On Monday, Trent Boult and Tim Southee were too hot to handle for the Indian batsmen. Later in the day, openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell scored a lot of the fifties which helped New Zealand to registered a 7-wicket win at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. The hosts had won the first Test by ten wickets in Wellington.
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Tweeting about the same, Laxman wrote: “Many congratulations to the Black Caps on beating India and winning the Test series comprehensively. India couldn’t show the discipline required to stick it out and will be deeply disappointed”.
Many congratulations to the @BLACKCAPS on beating India and winning the Test series comprehensively. India couldn't show the discipline required to stick it out and will be deeply disappointed. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/znJZHLr8Kx
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 2, 2020
Laxman also said that Kohli’s worst outing in a Test series in recent times with the bat was one of the crucial reasons behind ODI and Test series whitewash. Kohli managed just 38 runs in four Test innings and also suffered his first series whitewash as captain in the longest format of the game. In the ODIs and T20Is as well, he scored 218 runs from 11 innings on this tour with 51 being his highest score.
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Talking about the same during the post-match show on Star Sports, Laxman said, “The biggest talking point on this tour right from the one-day series to these two Test matches has been the form of two very important players — Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Kohli’s form has definitely been the biggest letdown for the Indian team because when your top batsman, averages 9 (9.50 to be precise) in the two Test matches, I think it is going to be tough for the visiting side. They didn’t show any fight in the Tests.”
Despite the whitewash, India is still leading the charts on the World Test Championship table with 360 points from 9 matches. However, New Zealand has moved on to the third spot with 180 points.