Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has now stated that he would like Rohit Sharma to stick to his natural game in the course of the forthcoming three-test series against the touring South African team set to begin on 2 October in Visakhapatnam.

“The biggest advantage that Rohit has is his experience, which I didn’t have. I opened in Test cricket after playing only four Test matches. Rohit has played 12 years of international cricket. So he has the maturity and the experience and he is also in good form,” Laxman stated in an interview with India cricketer Deep Dasgupta on the latter’s YouTube channel “Deep Point”.

“I believe the mistake that I made while opening the innings was to change my mindset, which got me a lot of success as a middle-order batsman, whether it’s batting No 3 or No 4,” added Laxman.

“I also tried to change my technique. As a middle-order batsman, I was always having a front press (front-foot trigger) and then go towards the ball, whereas talking to seniors and coaches, I went to back and across as I had to face Curtly Ambrose (97-away series), who would generate steep bounce from length. This huge change in approach affected my batting and I hope Rohit shouldn’t do it,” Laxman told the former Indian wicketkeeper during the interview.

“If you tweak your natural game too much, then you will not get the results as your mind gets cluttered and you tend to lose your rhythm. I can admit that my flow was affected when I opened. Rohit is a rhythm-based player and if his touch gets affected, then it will be difficult,” the Hyderabadi batsman said who was also known for his elegance and use of the wrist during his playing his days.

However, Laxman stated that there is a certain amount of discipline that one needs to have while opening the batting in Test match cricket and since Rohit has enough experience in Test match cricket, he would be able to maintain that discipline.

“Rohit wants to play Test cricket and with Ajinkya (Rahane) and (Hanuma) Vihari at Nos five and six Rohit knows that his chance to do well is as an opener. He should take this positively. He has nothing to lose. For a class player like him, it is better than sitting on the bench. He has to be in that playing XI,” he concluded.