VVS Laxman said he was confident India can turn the tables on New Zealand in the ongoing Test even as the team was 125 runs behind at the close of play in the second essay with seven wickets in hand.
“I know Sarfaraz (Khan) is batting well and I think Virat (Kohli) is there,” VVS Laxman told PTI shortly before Kohli was eventually dismissed.
“We believe; when I say we, you know, whether it’s me or former players or Gautam (Gambhir) as the head coach, or Rohit as a captain, everyone who’s playing for the country is capable of creating magic.”
“I can tell with a lot of conviction that everyone (batters) will go out with only one thought, one frame of mind, which is (that) ‘can I contribute to the country, can I go out and just give 100-150 runs for my bowlers’.
“And if my (India) bowlers get 150 runs, take it from me that we can win this Test match,” Laxman said.
The former batter is banking on the Indian spinners to do their magic in the fourth innings.
“The ball is turning and gripping and we (have) got three wonderful, world class spinners. Whoever is going out to bat, they will go with that mindset,” he added.
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Laxman said backing your strength in pressure situations is key, like Sarfaraz Khan did during his unbeaten 78-ball 70.
“Sarfaraz, just before coming here, I saw (him hit) a beautiful six over point. When you’re in a pressure situation, when you are facing an impossible task, can you trust your strengths?” he said.
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“Sarfaraz, Yashasvi (Jaiswal) and Rohit played their natural game. Now the end result (is something that) no one can predict, but can the approach and can the frame of mind and mindset be predicted, yes.
“Because that’s in your control and I can tell that everyone will go out with that kind of positive mindset,” he said.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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