'Leaders Take That Ownership': VVS Laxman Boldly Defends India Skipper Rohit Sharma Amidst Criticism

The first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru saw the Men in Blue struggle on home turf, settling for a historic low against New Zealand. The Indian cricket team is now attempting to fight back as they bat against the Kiwis. India struggled to bowl, but they managed to keep their hopes alive by batting against the Kiwis. Others have heavily criticised Rohit Sharma 's decision to bat first, but NCA Chief and former India cricketer VVS Laxman has backed him up.

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VVS Laxman Defends Rohit Sharma After Making Disputable Call To Bat First vs NZ

While speaking in a gathering at the Security Now 2024 conference by Seclore, VVS Laxman heaped praise on India captain Rohit Sharma and backed him amidst intense criticism over his decision to bat first against NZ during the Bengaluru Test. He applauded the skipper for taking responsibility for making the wrong call against the Tom Latham-led Kiwis. VVS also mentioned that Rohit did a fantastic job setting an example for others by facing the media in the press conference after the play.

"For leaders, it's humanly impossible not to make mistakes. We won the toss and we elected to bat first and it was counterproductive (because) we were bowled out for 46.

"Who went to the press conference? It was Rohit Sharma . He accepted that 'yes, I misread the wicket'. Leaders take that ownership of (their) decisions. It's not necessary that every time the decisions are right, but you take the ownership and then whenever the team doesn't do well, you go and face the flak. Whenever the team does well, you promote the guy who actually requires that recognition and that limelight," VVS Laxman expressed.

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Skipper Rohit Sharma 's decision to bat first in the opening Test backfired horribly as India were shot out for a mere 46 inside 32 overs, recording their third-lowest total in 593 Tests and lowest-ever in 293 matches on home soil.

The Indian captain also fronted the press after the end of play on Thursday and acknowledged that he erred in reading the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch while citing that not all calls taken by leadership can always be right. But on Day 3, India fought back valiantly against the Kiwis as they batted. While they are still trailing by 125 runs, the team still has some of their top hitters, who could rake up runs on Day 4.

[With PTI Inputs]