IND vs ENG: Ajinkya Rahane needs to work out against short pitch deliveries: VVS Laxman

New Delhi: Former batsman VVS Laxman said vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is an important member of Team India's batting line-up for the India-England Test series beginning from Wednesday at Nottingham, but needs to work out against short pitch deliveries.

"I still remember the way he batted in overseas conditions at Lords or in Melbourne, also the way he batted in South Africa. He is instrumental for team India.

Whenever he is out there in the middle, he scores run, he dominates the opposition's bowling attack. But one thing I feel Ajinkya Rahane must sort out is his game plan against short pitch deliveries," Laxman said while speaking on Star Sports’ show Game Plan ahead of Test series.

"You saw that in the series against New Zealand in the World Test Championship Final. It was the game plan of the opposition of the bowling line up to set up with a barrel of short pitch deliveries and, Rahane got only one option to make a pull shot.

'But when you play at the highest level, you also must know which ball to play the pull shot and which ball to let go of. I think that is one area Rahane works on and, he has got a guarantee. I am sure he can perform," said Laxman. (UNI)