VVS Laxman impressed with Rohit Sharma's captaincy, mastery of Kuldeep Yadav with white-ball

New Delhi, Nov 13: Former India cricketer VVS Laxman is highly impressed with Rohit Sharma's captaincy in the just concluded Twenty20 series between India and West Indies. The stylish Hyderabadi batsman-turned commentator also seemed elated with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav who was awarded the man of the series.

West Indies, who are the reigning World T20 champions, were outclassed by the Men In Blue in all the departments as the hosts clean swept the series.

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In his column for Times of India, Laxman praised Rohit who, in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, led Team India by example. Rohit's moves were commended by the experts all through the series.

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"Twenty20 cricket is the Windies' most preferred version, and they have shown their liking for the game's shortest format by winning the World T20 on two occasions. Against that backdrop, they will look back on the three-match shootout against India with a great deal of disappointment, and not merely because Rohit Sharma led the hosts to a 3-0 sweep," wrote Laxman.

Great effort by the West Indies to take it so close in the end but Rishabh and Shikhar really had a good time with some terrific hitting. Good to end the home season with a victory #IndvWI

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 11, 2018

Laxman felt Kuldeep's mastery with the white-ball made the difference for the Indians as the Windies batsmen subdued against his spin. Laxman also slammed the Windies batsmen for playing wreckless strokes and not applying themselves as per the situation.

"Even though the Windies were without some of their big names, there still was enough firepower and potential in the emerging batsmen to leave their imprint. But they let themselves down in the first two games with the questionable shot selection and a distinct discomfort against the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav. That their best batting performance came in the last match in Chennai, for which Kuldeep was rested, is telling. Even that, however, was not enough for them to leave Indian shores with a consolation victory," he added further.

Reflecting upon the major difference between the two teams' performance, Laxman opined that senior Windies batsmen didn't live up the expectations.

"The difference between the sides was in the performance of their senior batsmen. While Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan masterminded India's dominance, the Windies didn't get like results from Darren Bravo and Kieron Pollard. Especially given the lack of penetration in the bowling - apart from the exception of the exciting Oshane Thomas - the visitors were heavily dependent on their batting. When that department didn't deliver, they really had a litte chance," Laxman stressed.

Praising Rohit's captaincy the Hyderabadi cricketer said, "I was again mightily impressed with Rohit's captaincy. He is becoming a semiregular at the job, especially in T20 cricket, and handled his troops admirably. He is proactive on the field and has clear plans, but isn't afraid to improvise. He also continued to bat beautifully, and his fourth T20I hundred in Lucknow was one for the ages. I have seen few batsmen combine power and elegance with such nonchalance."

As per Laxman, Shikhar Dhawan getting some runs ahead of the Australia tour is a big positive for the hosts and hopes the southpaw continues from where he left.

"It was wonderful to see Shikhar get back among big runs ahead of the tour of Australia, and his partnership with young Rishabh Pant all but sealed the deal in Chennai. However, Pant must understand that what is his strength can easily lead to his downfall if he is not careful. While it is imperative to embrace natural freedom, he will be well advised to play high-percentage strokes, more so when he is adept at doing so," he added further.

About the performance of India's bowlers, Laxman was pleased with Bumrah and Kuldeep.

"Jasprit Bumrah was excellent as ever while Kuldeep is clearly among the best bowlers in white-ball cricket. What was pleasing was his control, even as he unfurled his vast bag of tricks. That the Windies batsmen had little clue which way the ball was turning was the perfect reflection of Kuldeep's mastery over his craft," Laxman concluded.