‘Laxman should be first to go’

VVS Laxman should be the first veteran head to roll in a batting revamp if India are to secure their future in Test cricket, several former players have said in the wake of a second crushing defeat in Australia.

VVS Laxman should be the first veteran head to roll in a batting revamp if India are to secure their future in Test cricket, several former players have said in the wake of a second crushing defeat in Australia.

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Senior batsmen like 38-year-old Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid (38) and Laxman (37) have traditionally been India’s strength but calls for infusing more young blood have been gaining ground.

Former Test cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar wants Rohit Sharma in the team in place of Laxman, despite the stylish right-hander scoring a half-century in India's second innings in Sydney.

“I would still drop VVS and get Rohit in for next Test. Makes long-term sense. Give Virat one more Test ... just to be sure he does not belong here,” he wrote on his twitter page.

“VVS averages 20 in last 12 overseas innings ... Even if he gets a good score in next Test it will not serve India long...

“Also if Virat, before the tour, was India's next big thing ... Should he not get more than two Tests on his first stint in Australia?” observed Manjrekar.