Bengaluru, India: Former cricketer and current NCA chief VVS Laxman praised Rohit Sharma for taking responsibility after India’s first-innings collapse against New Zealand in the opening Test. Speaking at the Security Now 2024 conference, Laxman highlighted how Rohit exemplified strong leadership by acknowledging his mistake of batting first on a challenging Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, where India was bundled out for just 46 runs in 32 overs—their third-lowest score in 593 Tests and the lowest-ever in 293 home matches.
Rohit’s call at the toss backfired, but the captain faced the media and admitted the error. “Leaders make mistakes,” Laxman said, “but Rohit showed accountability by going to the press conference and owning up to it.”
“Phenomenal Leadership Through Accountability”
Laxman emphasized that great leadership involves not only taking responsibility for failures but also giving credit to teammates when things go right. “It’s not about getting everything right. When the team struggles, the leader steps up and takes the flak. When the team performs well, he highlights the efforts of others,” Laxman remarked, applauding Rohit’s humility and maturity.
According to Laxman, Rohit has also instilled a selfless brand of cricket, encouraging players to adopt an aggressive style of play, even if it affects his own personal performance. “He’s leading by example and telling his team: ‘I’ll back you as long as you play the brand of cricket I believe in.’ This style of leadership is what makes him special,” Laxman said.
A Turnaround Still Possible
Despite India trailing by 125 runs in the second innings, Laxman expressed confidence that the team could stage a comeback. He cited Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten 70 and the presence of India’s world-class spinners as reasons for optimism. “If the batters can give us 150 runs to work with, I’m convinced we can win this match,” Laxman said.
Reflecting on Sarfaraz’s performance, he commended the batter’s positive mindset. “Sarfaraz hit a stunning six over point under pressure. That’s what great players do—they trust their strengths even in difficult moments,” Laxman explained.
“Backing Strengths in Pressure Moments”
Laxman believes India’s approach—playing with clarity and confidence—can be decisive. “The end result is beyond control, but the mindset isn’t. Rohit, Sarfaraz, and Yashasvi Jaiswal showed exactly that by playing their natural game. If the rest of the team follows the same mindset, we can turn things around,” he said.
Spinners Set to Play Key Role
With the pitch offering turn and grip, Laxman backed India’s spin trio to dominate. “Our spinners are world-class, and with the right support from the batters, I believe we can wrap up this Test in our favor,” he concluded.
