VVS takes VRS

VVS Laxman , one of India’s batting legends decided to hang up his boots from international cricket in an emotional interview in Hyderabad. He stated that he is retired only from international cricket and would continue to play for his domestic team in Ranji that is Hyderabad. The decision although was an impending one but came in suddenly because it was only one week back that he was selected for the New Zealand series and it was expected that he would continue to play for some time. Probably the constant criticism that he was receiving from all quarters made him review his future and he finally decided to retire. There were calls from across the country for him to retire and to give youth a chance. Being the team man that he was he felt that this was the right time to blood in the youngsters in the home leg so that their entry into international cricket is a smooth one and not a rough one in foreign shores.

Lets not talk about what the future holds for the Indian cricket and stuff, rather lets have a look at the wonderful knocks that he has played over his 16 year international career. The first superb knock that he had played was the 167 against the Aussies in Sydney in the early 2000 and late 1999’s. It was a sumptuous knock with typical Laxman shots throughout the innings. The flicks against the quicks as well as against Warne. His lovely wrists were at work and the Aussies had no answer on how to get him out. He played the pull , the cut, the drive and the flick and he was gracious in each of these shots. This was the first time he was showing his talent world wide and my word, he was one brilliant talent. Although India surrendered meekly, his batting was a bright spot on a pretty much dark tour where India were whitewashed. Little did the Aussies know then that this was not going to be the last time that he was going to torment their attack. Over a year later came the innings that defined Laxman’s career. The 281 at the Eden Gardens. Lets put it in perspective. India had lost the first test by 10 wickets and were asked to follow on in the second innings and the mighty Aussies were on their 20 match winning streak. In came VVS laxman and he scored 281 of the most beautiful runs. It was a chanceless knock and Dravid and him batted the whole fourth day without a wicket falling. The Aussie attack was brought to it’s knees. It was a trademark Laxman innings with his usual shots and the Aussies were so tired after their fielding efforts that they collapsed to a final day loss leaving them pretty much red faced. The following match was again a Laxman special where he yet again scored a century and yet again the Aussies lost the match and with that the series. By the end of the series the Aussies feared Laxman more than even Sachin Tendulkar, a rarity, which in itself proved how dangerous a player VVS is.

VVS flicks on his way to281

Centuries kept coming across all formats and the Aussies were hurt, the most . The first 6 ODI centuries that he scored were all against the Aussies. Soon he was becoming a thorn in the opposition sides chances. He was just awesome on away tours scoring prolifically and very soon became a mainstay in the middle order reducing the load off Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly to score all the runs and he was in no way scoring less than these guys. Another Laxman special that props up in the mind was the 148 at the Adelaide and although Dravid stole the limelight, in no way was his innings any way lesser than that of Dravid. India were again in trouble and again Laxman came to the party with a huge partnership with Dravid which ultimately lead to India’s victory in the test match. Another special was yet to come and this came in the same tour. This time a huge century in Sydney and a huge partnership with Tendulkar. Although it did not lead to a victory it certainly was a beautiful knock. The most significant contribution to Indian cricket was the composure that he showed in chases and the calmness with which he took India past the line although the others were falling around him. A striking knock was the 73 not out at Mohali . India were 120 odd for 8 and needed another 100 odd runs and Laxman shepherd the tail to take India to victory. He was cool under intense pressure and was injured too. Yet he kept batting without any fuss and with an unlikely partnership with Ishant Sharma took India to an improbable victory. It was because of Laxman’s composure that India were chasing down totals in the fourth innings . India were not only tough to beat at home but also away because of the batting prowess that we possessed and we were becoming a force to reckon with, thanks to VVS. Another innings that comes to mind was the one against the Sri Lankans. Again a chase and again India were in trouble with the score at 25-3 needing another 200 odd runs to victory and the usual suspect again guided India to a victory with minimal fuss. Now surely Laxman was becoming a fourth innings specialist. Apart from these knocks he played numerous match saving knocks with utmost precision.

Laxman shares a laugh with Ojha after a memorable chase with the tail

It was almost like Laxman was the crisis man for Indian cricket. Whenever India were in trouble Laxman stepped up to the plate and got India to not only decent positions but to match winning positions. The test match victory at Durban was set up by Laxman with half centuries in both the innings on a tough track. Nobody else was able to cross even fifty in the entire match and this man did it with without compromising on his beauty and elegance. One match saving innings that props up to mind is the century that he scored against the Black Caps. India were 80-6 in the third innings with a slender lead and a day to go. Once again Laxman stepped up and constructed an important partnership with Harbhajan Singh and saved India from an embarrassing defeat against the Kiwis at home. Another of his fourth innings heroics was against the Windies at Delhi where India were chasing a sticky target of around 280 and lost a couple of early wickets. But Laxman had so much confidence in his fourth innings batting that he scored a half century and took India to victory.

The three of them will never be seen playing together again in the middle order

The greatest thing about Laxman was that he chose the big occasion. He loved playing against the big oppositions in the big matches. This is certainly seen by the fact that his favourite opposition in international cricket was that of the Aussies whom others certainly hated. He was a master as far as playing under pressure was concerned. He used to score runs with the same ease that he would score without pressure. His flicks through mid wicket even though the opposition captain would have two fielders there will be a lasting memory in all cricket fans. The flowing cover drives, the elegant cut and the pull would also have lasting impression on our minds. One more reason we all will miss Laxman is the slip catching where he certainly took some outstanding catches. This offers a good chance for the youngsters to stake their claim in the middle order with only Tendulkar left. The world will no longer be special without very very special Laxman. We thank you for your services. Sixteen years, is a lot of time! You certainly will be missed and remembered by all people around the world likewise.