India are 0-2 down in the five-match Test series against England. India’s rivalry with England goes back a long way. In fact, a movie named Lagaan was based on a cricket match between India villagers and the Britishers. In the movie, Bhuvan-led XI defeated the Britishers in a cricket match and helped the villagers get rid of Lagaan or taxes. In our article, we take you through a ‘Lagaan XI’ from the India squad for the Test series against England in 2018.
Bhuvan – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli
This character suits Indian skipper Virat Kohli the best. While Bhuvan led from the front with a ton during the run-chase, Kohli too has played a similar role in various Test wins for India. Both Bhuvan and Kohli’s characters are extremely competitive as they can go all out for a win. Kohli is also a great leader, pretty similar to the character of Bhuvan.
Kachra – Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav
Kachra, the wrist-spinner in Lagaan, was the one who turned around the game with a hat-trick. Kuldeep Yadav is the flavour of the season as he has bamboozled the England batting line-up twice in the recently concluded limited-overs series. The chinaman bowler is similar to Kachra as the former can spin the ball a big way just like the latter did with the old ball in the movie.
Lakha – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya
Lakha was the character who played for the Englishmen in the movie until his true identity was revealed. After being given a chance for redemption, he took a brute of a catch to dismiss an English batsman. He, however, was out hit-wicket for a golden duck owing to a beamer. Hardik Pandya attributes are similar to Lakha’s, especially when it comes to fielding. Nevertheless, Pandya hasn’t been involved in any undesired tactic like match-fixing or others.
Bagha – Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav
The mute-drummer in the film was all brute force who punished the English bowling attack before losing his wicket in uncontrolled aggression. Umesh Yadav is pretty similar to Bagha’s character. The muscular Umesh gives it all his bodily energy and aggression into his bowling and can even smack big hits with the willow. Besides, the two resemble each other perfectly in physicality as well.
Deva Singh Sodhi – Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan
Opener Deva terrorised the English bowlers for Bhuvan’s XI. He was an aggressive batsman who raced to 49 in no time before he was unfortunately run-out. Shikhar Dhawan is too a similar player like Deva who likes to dominate bowling attacks and has mostly been out due to false strokes or bad luck. However, it’s pertinent to note that Deva was an all-rounder while Dhawan is a batsman and only their cricketing attributes match.
Ishwar – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik
The character Ishwar was a decent gloveman in Lagaan. He chipped in with few runs with Bhuvan in the run-chase. Karthik, who is making a comeback to Test cricket and is the lone surviving member of 2007 series win in England, is a decent keeper too and he can be trusted to deliver with the bat as well. Karthik has reinvented his career after the Nidahas Trophy final heroics.
Bhura – Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja
Bhura played a poultry farmer in the movie. He was athletic and sharp due to his work profile and that helped him become an expert fielder. He affected a run-out in the movie due to his brilliant fielding. He also sacrificed his wicket for Bhuvan. Jadeja too is one of the best Indian fielders around and has the knack of hitting stumps with direct throws. He is also a great team-man who can bat according to needs of the situation.
Arjan – KL Rahul
KL Rahul
Arjan joined Bhuvan’s army after he was insulted by Captain Russell. He was sledged on the cricket field and lost his wicket in a moment of madness. The young KL Rahul is of a similar mould as he does not hesitate in giving it back to the opponents. He has also been guilty of throwing his wicket away in moments of madness, his knock of 199 against England at Chennai in 2016 Test series is a prime example.
Guran – Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma
He provided the comic relief in the movie, be it with his awkward batting stance or his clever bowling. Ishant Sharma is similar as he provides great comic relief in the field. Remember how he enacted Steve Smith’s expression when Australia toured India for Test series in 2017. But Ishant Sharma’s never-say-die attitude makes him a great teammate just like Guran.
Ismail – Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane
Ismail combined with Bhuvan to help his team reach closer towards the target. Ismail was the last specialist batsman standing and played with an injured leg. Ajinkya Rahane too is the last specialist batsman in India’s batting line-up in Test cricket and has often rescued India from a precarious position to a winning spot. Rahane is also a trusted lieutenant of Virat Kohli just like how Ismail was for Bhuvan.
Goli – Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah
Goli was always on target with his line and length. He rotated his arms quite a few times before unleashing his thunderbolts. Captain Russell, however, found a loophole in his bowling action and sorted him out to score runs. Jasprit Bumrah is akin to Goli as the Indian pacer hits the right channels and bowls toe-crunching yorkers at will to defy opposition batsmen.
Leave a Reply
Be the First to Comment!