VVS Laxman: Ravindra Jadeja has improved immensely in beating the batsman with his style

Ravindra Jadeja. Picture/ AFP

India and New Zealand will battle it out in a high-profile clash in the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the title, beginning today at the Ages Bowl, Southampton.

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman believes Ravindra Jadeja is a complete package for him and Ravichandran Ashwin is his first-choice spinner. "Ravichandran Ashwin will be my first-choice spinner. And as rightly mentioned, the way he bowled in Australia, he put pressure on the best batsman in the opposition line-up - Steve Smith - and consistently got him out and that was one of the reasons why India went on to win that Test series. It shows that Ashwin is very talented, very skilful, and now he's got the confidence of even performing in overseas conditions. So, he will be my first-choice spinner and Ravindra Jadeja, you can't just forget him. He is not only a spinner who can bowl in helpful conditions. Over the last two years, he has improved immensely in beating the batsman with his style, flight, and variation in pace. So, I just feel that he is a complete package for me," said Laxman.

Laxman also spoke on why he is backing pacer Ishant Sharma. "Appreciate the way Mohammad Siraj performed in Australia and with the limited opportunities he got against England in the home series. But I think the way Ishant Sharma has contributed to the success and progress of the Indian team - we can't discount that. So, I would definitely go with the experience. It's a one-off Test match, it's a World Test Championship final. I would back Ishant Sharma because over so many years he has contributed immensely to the Indian team and we've seen that it's actually the leader of the pack. Yet, I understand Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a lethal bowler along with Mohammed Shami, but I would back Ishant Sharma in this all-important final," he said.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, VVS Laxman spoke about how Virat Kohli will decide the final squad for the WTC finals. "I think the most important decision is who is going to open with Rohit Sharma, because we've got two contenders. Both of them are very talented batsmen who also got experience of playing in England even though they didn't play international cricket. They played for India A in the series, two years back. I think that's the most important decision because there's a lot of depth and experience in the fast-bowling department," added Laxman.

Also Read: Virat Kohli on WTC Final: Just another test match

Catch all the action from the ICC World Test Championship Final LIVE & Exclusive on the Star Sports Network & Disney+ Hotstar VIP from June 18-22nd, 2021, 2.00 PM onwards