Stylish Team India former Test cricketer VVS Laxman lashed out at skipper MS Dhoni for not offering enough support to out-of-form players. Laxman, who is usually calm and composed, on Saturday criticized Dhoni for keeping aloof from struggling players when they need him most. Laxman, who is now part of the Star Cricket commentary team for the first Test against Australia here, cited the case of Harbhajan Singh who he opines requires a lot of encouragement and support taking into account the fact that the Punjab offspinner, playing his 100th Test, is going through a lean patch.
A Very Very Special criticism came from unexpected quarters this time. Laxman who usually stays at his usual self reserved nothing with him with the intention to makes things clear. Hopefully, this might not go down with the ‘Jharkhand dynamite’ because of the way in which things are going at the current juncture. Though it is necessary for any captain to lead the team from the front, there was nothing short expected from Dhoni previously considering the fact that an energetic cricketer he is.
Laxman was baffled at Dhoni for not bringing Harbhajan into the mainstream attack in the first hour of play on day two on Saturday. There were different plans going on in his mind at that point of time, but offering Harbhajan a chance to bowl would have lifted up his confidence levels.
"Dhoni is sending out a wrong message by keeping Harbhajan on the sidelines. He is making him [Harbhajan] feel unwanted in the team," he said on-air. "A guy who is playing his 100th Test doesn't deserve that sort of treatment."
Harbhajan was ultimately brought into the attack after a gap of 51 long overs even after the fact that the rest of the Indian bowlers failing to break the dogged stand between overnight batsmen Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle. That miffed Laxman completely, who said this wasn't the first time that Harbhajan had been looked through by his captain.
Perhaps, this has made the possible rift between those two players much clearer. As a matter of fact, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni don't share a good relationship since the former retired last year. MS Dhoni doesn't back out-of-form players is what the stylish batsman from Hyderabad has got to say on an overall.
"When Harbhajan returned after a long time for the Mumbai Test against England late last year, he was given the same treatment. A guy who is making a comeback has some nervous energy, some jitters and a captain should give him plenty of support and that's how you get the best out of a player. Dhoni didn't do that then," said Laxman.
"Harbhajan is the kind of bowler who thrives on confidence. He needs a couple of wickets to get his confidence back. He is that sort of bowler. Unfortunately he doesn't have his captain on his side."
Hopefully, it could be Harbhajan who will be able to enjoy complete freedom from his skipper this time around courtesy the comments made by VVS Laxman.
