Laxman to continue to bat at number six
Ashish Shukla
Despite the two outstanding innings in the first Test against England at Lord's, VVS
Laxman will continue to bat at number six.
It put to rest speculation on Laxman being promoted higher up in the order after his knocks of 43 not out and 74 at Lord's when everyone except Rahul Dravid in the top batting
order failed to make any significant contribution.
Laxman has been moved up and down in the batting order but
looked to have secured his position at number three after the
stupendous 281 against Australia at Kolkata last year.
Laxman, who displaced Dravid during the second innings of
the Kolkata Test, continued to bat at number three on the tour
to Zimbabwe last year but Dravid's better technique saw him
winning back his position on the tour to South Africa last
year.
The musical chairs for number three continued to be played
though as captain Sourav Ganguly came at number three during
the Delhi Test against Zimbabwe this year, a game in which
Laxman was surprisingly dropped.
Laxman came roaring back to form recently in the West
Indies where he scored 474 runs at an average of 79.00 from
five Tests and was the top scorer for the team.
Laxman continued in same vein in the Lord's Test leading to an outcry he was being under-utilised in that position, being left to bat with tailenders and getting stranded.
Also, speculation was rife that Ganguly may swap positions
with Laxman and come at number six, pushing the stylish
Hyderabad batsman up in the order to five.
But team sources have said the positions would remain unchanged
and Ganguly would come out to bat at number five with Laxman
holding on to his position at number six.
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