VVS Laxman opts for KL Rahul and Pujara over Rohit and Dhawan

Indian batting great VVS Laxman expressed his opinion about the Indian squad for the Test series against New Zealand. He would like to open the batting with Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay and the Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3 for the first Test starting in Kanpur on Thursday.

India is heading towards a hectic season, where they play as many as 13 home Test matches. Apart from New Zealand, they will host England, Australia and Bangladesh for Tests this season.

“For openers, I will pick KL Rahul and Murali Vijay. Vijay has been the most consistent batsman in the last two-three seasons,” Laxman said.

“Rahul’s emergence is no doubt because of Virat (his mentoring starting at Royal Challengers Bangalore). It will be tough on Shikhar, no doubt. And Pujara, with his effort in the Duleep Trophy, he will be my No 3,” added the Indian legend.

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KL Rahul scored a brilliant century in the Test series against West Indies last month when he made it to the playing eleven on the back of the injury to Murali Vijay. Ever since, selecting the opening pair has been the biggest headache for the skipper, Virat Kohli and the team management.

Pujara showed great form in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy, which makes his statement for selection. Vijay has been a symbol of consistency playing on any kind of track all around the world. This makes the scenario tougher the left-handed Dhawan. Middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma failed in the Duleep Trophy and in the warm-up match against New Zealand in Mumbai as well but there is a chance that he is retained in the XI.

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