Rohit Sharma should open in 2015 World Cup ahead of Ajinkya Rahane, says VVS Laxman
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman believes that the supprt staff appointed for India’s ODI series and lone T20 in England have had a positive influence on the team and should stay in their respective jobs till next year’s all-important 50-over ICC World Cup.
Fletcher should stay until the World Cup
Ravi Shastri’s temporary appointment as Director of Cricket after India’s 3-1 drubbing in the Test series at the hands of England had raised questions about Duncan Fletcher’s position as head coach, but Laxman has provided support to Fletcher by saying that the Zimbabwean should continue “without a doubt” until the World Cup.
On the recommendation of Shastri, Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun were appointed as assistant coaches to Fletcher while R Sridhar was assigned the responsibility of looking after the fielding, thereby replacing bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penney who were told that their services were not required for the limited-overs series.
"I am hoping the BCCI will stick to the support staff we had for the one-dayers till the World Cup. The tournament is only six months away so there isn't enough time to chop and change," Laxman told ESPNcricinfo.
"I have worked with Ravi Shastri in 2007 when we toured Bangladesh and he is a very positive person, immense knowledge of the game, he was himself a great leader for Mumbai and he captained India in one Test that India won convincingly. I am glad Bharat Arun and R Sridhar got their opportunity to coach at the highest level because they have a good track record at the India A and Under-19 level, and Sanjay Bangar because of his recent success with Kings XI Punjab."
Rohit Sharma should open at the World Cup
The 39-year old also said that he would have Rohit Sharma back at the top of the order for the World Cup despite the fact that Ajinkya Rahane, who racked up his first ODI century in the recently concluded ODI series, had an extremely successful time as opener in the wake of Rohit’s fractured finger which ruled him out of the series.
"The wickets in Australia will suit him [Rohit]. He had a successful ODI series in 2007 when he was young and inexperienced. His style of batting will suit Australian conditions, so I will definitely go back to Rohit and have Rahane as a back-up but play him in the middle order," Laxman added.