VVS Laxman believes India can stay number one in Tests for a 'very long time'

With the excitement building up towards a major home season for India, former batsman VVS Laxman has urged Virat Kohli’s team to regain their number one Test ranking and hold onto it for a ‘very long time’.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event by broadcast partner Star Sports, the stylish Hyderabadi insisted that the present lot have been battle hardened by their experience in away tours.

Laxman believed, “It’s a great opportunity for India because they are going to play three quality Test playing countries (New Zealand, England and Australia). This India team has the potential to be the number one and they can be the best Test playing nation for a very long time. The reason for that is everyone is young in their Test careers and also they have played a lot in overseas conditions.”

He added, “From personal experience I have seen that once you play overseas you become an all round player because you get to play in different types of wickets, different weather conditions, different kinds of oppositions who are very good in their own backyard. So I think they are well rounded cricketers now and playing in India, they know what kind of conditions to expect. It gives the team the right kind of platform to showcase its talent, play to their potential and once they do that, they will start dominating Test cricket for a long time.”

Since Kohli took over the Test captaincy in a full-time capacity, India won away series against both Sri Lanka and West Indies aside from defeating South Africa at home in a convincing manner. With only one point separating them from top-ranked Pakistan, a victory against New Zealand by a margin of 2-0 or better will lead them to the number one position.

Lauding the 27-year old’s captaincy skills, Laxman asserted, “Kohil is an inspiration, a trend setter for me as he inspires his colleagues to raise the benchmark. He is always looking for wins, is flexible and has conveyed the message that he is here to win. I think he is very fortunate to have players from which he can chose depending on the playing conditions. They have really impressed not only in Indian conditions but all over the world and all of them have great work ethic.”