VVS backs India to fight like it's 2001
Feb 27, 2017 - 9:00 PM VVS Laxman, the batsman most famous for spearheading an incredible mid-series fightback against Australia, says India will emerge stronger from the "debacle" that unfolded in Pune.Steve Smith's side claimed a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series by wrapping up a 333-run victory inside three days, outplaying the hosts in every facet of the game.
The corresponding series in 2001 started in somewhat similar fashion, with Australia enjoying a 10-wicket win in Mumbai.
Steve Waugh held a first-innings lead of 274 runs - and all the momentum - when he opted to enforce the follow-on in the second Test. Laxman proceeded to turn the Test and series on its head in Kolkata, producing a career-best knock of 281 that helped deliver a 171-run victory.
The hosts won a thrilling decider in Chennai by two wickets.
"That this is a four-Test series is to India's advantage. There is plenty of time to bounce back from the Pune defeat," Laxman wrote on CricketCountry.
"Especially given the quality that is at Virat's disposal. It is debatable if there will be a Pune-type pitch for the rest of the series, and I strongly advocate that there should not be.
"The swiftness of the debacle was astonishing ... Pune cannot be wished away as a bad dream.
"India can use it as a template of what not to do, and emerge stronger by imbibing the lessons. Not for a moment do I have any doubt about my Indian team's capability to win this series, even from this position."
Laxman, who scored 8781 runs in a 134-Test career, was full of praise for Steve Smith's century.
"Smith produced one of the finest hundreds ever seen on Indian soil, his use of feet exemplary and his choice of deliveries to attack and defend near-impeccable," Laxman observed.
"He had his fair share of luck, but to his credit, he made the most of his good fortune ... the confidence he will derive from this century simply cannot be put in words."
Laxman was also impressed with the 82-run opening stand between David Warner and Matt Renshaw.
"Warner showcased a facet of his batting that is not seen all too often ... he was happy to play the conditions, even if it meant putting his natural game in cold storage," he noted of Warner, who scored 38 off 77 balls in the first innings.
"Matt Renshaw was extremely impressive in his first Test on Indian soil, in conditions he would never have encountered before in a match situation."
Source: AAP
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