Need to keep aggression in check : Laxman

Led by the mercurial Virat Kohli, the young Indian side looks to have adopted a new ‘aggressive’ approach. While this revamped style has paid rich dividends with a historic series win in Sri Lanka, it also came at a cost, the team lost its premium fast bowler Ishant Sharma for a test match, as he prepares to serve his one match ban.

Former batting legend VVS laxman precisely described this, stating that the approach is good, but must be kept in check.

“If you take the case of Ishant Sharma, it’s good for a fast bowler to have the killer instinct, as long as you keep the emotions in check. But one should not get carried away with emotions and aggression, so that you don’t sit out of Test matches.” Laxman emphasized.

The aggressive approach isn’t new for the Indian side, as no one better than Laxman’s former captain Sourav Ganguly, used it as an important weapon against quality sides.

“The Indian team has always played aggressive cricket. Against the top teams like Australia, it’s important to display aggression and emotion,” the Hyderabadi was quoted saying.

On the clichéd notion of diminishing interest in test cricket, VVS was quick to respond.

“I still feel there is a lot of interest in Test cricket. Whenever there is a good series, as when India plays Australia or South Africa, people come (to the stadium) to watch,” he said.

“We have to look at various ways to make Test cricket more interesting and day-night cricket has helped draw more crowd to the stadiums,” he added.

“But I am a bit skeptical about the pink ball.” he concluded.