‘He can be more attacking than a genuine batsman’: Laxman lauds Ravindra Jadeja, calls him a ‘complete package’ at No. 7

Former India batsman VVS Laxman stated that a player like Ravindra Jadeja is a complete package who can support the team in a vulnerable situation by scoring some useful runs.

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has lauded all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his terrific contribution with the bat in the first innings. The left-hander scored a crucial half-century after India lost in-form KL Rahul for 84. Jadeja’s 56 off 86 deliveries paced up India’s innings towards the end as the hosts took a 95-run lead on the third day of the first Test in Nottingham.

Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his half-century (Action Images via Reuters)

Jadeja may have not succeeded with the ball but his partnerships with Rahul (60 runs) and then Mohammed Shami (27 runs) put India in a comfortable position.

Speaking with ESPN Cricinfo, Laxman heaped praise on the all-rounder and opined that India skipper Virat Kohli would show a lot more trust in the latter’s abilities following his responsible knocks down the order. (India vs England Test Series Full Coverage)

“There were a lot of questions asked whether he should be the preferred No.7 or should India go with an additional batsman in the WTC Final. And I felt what an extra batsman can give as far as batting is concerned, Ravindra Jadeja can play a similar kind of role.

“In fact, he can be more attacking and positive than a genuine batsman and every match he just adds the credibility and I'm sure Virat Kohli will trust a lot more in his batting going forward,” Laxman told Cricinfo.

Laxman further stated that a player like Jadeja is a complete package who can support the team in a vulnerable situation by scoring some useful runs.

“I think he's a complete package and any day I would always show a lot of trust and belief in his attributes. Yes, you miss someone like a Hardik Pandya who gives you the medium pace option but I feel at No.7 he's a complete package. He'll give you runs not only when the situation is easy and favourable for the team but in tough situations,” he added.