(Note: This piece was written before Laxman's magnificent century at the Eden Gardens against Pakistan on Saturday, it just didn't go up on time)
1-0 down, Australia eyeing their first series win in the sub-continent after long years. 2nd test match, India made to follow-on, a series defeat staring in the eye. When all was lost and the much touted home record almost mauled by the Aussies one man stood up and changed the course of a dying river.
Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman played the most elegant and arguably the finest innings in the history of test cricket. The stylish batsman from Hyderabad, who is often compared with Azhar for his use of wrists with sublime panache, suddenly became a star batsman in the already star-studded batting line-up.
Since his epic effort at Eden Gardens Laxman has played many a vital knock in the test arena, resurrecting the team from hopeless situations it found itself in, invariably down 4-5 wickets. He might not have scored a couple of dozen centuries but his silent contributions, often batting with the lower order, are enough matter to warrant an unquestionable place for him in the side.
Why then is a player of Laxman’s caliber put under the scanner every second match? What good is a selection committee that is more apt at putting pressure on players, through the media, than evincing confidence in them? Aren’t India’s selection policies flawed? But then that is Indian cricket off the field for everyone, one only needs to reconcile to its vagaries for it is a never-ending, disgraceful saga.
1-0 down, Australia eyeing their first series win in the sub-continent after long years. 2nd test match, India made to follow-on, a series defeat staring in the eye. When all was lost and the much touted home record almost mauled by the Aussies one man stood up and changed the course of a dying river.
Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman played the most elegant and arguably the finest innings in the history of test cricket. The stylish batsman from Hyderabad, who is often compared with Azhar for his use of wrists with sublime panache, suddenly became a star batsman in the already star-studded batting line-up.
Since his epic effort at Eden Gardens Laxman has played many a vital knock in the test arena, resurrecting the team from hopeless situations it found itself in, invariably down 4-5 wickets. He might not have scored a couple of dozen centuries but his silent contributions, often batting with the lower order, are enough matter to warrant an unquestionable place for him in the side.
Why then is a player of Laxman’s caliber put under the scanner every second match? What good is a selection committee that is more apt at putting pressure on players, through the media, than evincing confidence in them? Aren’t India’s selection policies flawed? But then that is Indian cricket off the field for everyone, one only needs to reconcile to its vagaries for it is a never-ending, disgraceful saga.
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