This is a very important tour for VVS Laxman, who has been in and out of the Indian line up for most of his career. He always seems to be the fall guy that misses out. He is undoubtedly a batsman of great class and elegance, and his cuts and glances seem like a work of art on the cricket pitch when in full flow. He even has a walk of a great player. It is a delight to watch an artist at work at a time when aggression and brut force plays such a big role.
He will always be remembered for his majestic innings of 281 against Australia in 2001 in Kolkota, in one of the most remarkable fight backs in Test history. He seems to like the Australians and has a very good record against them, which is not something many batsmen can boast about. He has the game to do well against most opponents in most conditions but has lacked consistency to really be regarded as a great. He is of course in the company of star batsmen in the Indian line up and has not had the opportunity to shine on many occasions, especially when batting at no 6, when the bulk of the runs have either been scored or he is left with the tail enders.
His confidence cannot have been helped when he is constantly left out of the team. It was interesting to note that when faith was shown in him by Saurav Ganguly and he was moved up the order in that 2001 series, he produced the goods. A lot of the game is played in the mind and having any form of fragility in that area can hinder your game. He has handled his omissions well on the surface, apart from being left out of the 2003 World Cup. That really hurt and his form following that was great, showing that he had the fighting qualities to push his way back into the team. His poor fielding has counted against him in the one day arena, whereas in Tests, he is an excellent slip catcher, having taken many outstanding catches.
He has the potential to do really well in England, having played here before and his classical wristy shots will go well with the scenery. He has had a good warm up game against Sussex, scoring 95 on his first knock on the tour. He is likely to be fighting for a place with the dashing Yuvraj Singh, who is showing signs of recovering his good form. All the batsman are looking very good and India will have some difficult decisions to make if that continues throughout the tour.
It is time for the 'very very special' Laxman to stand up and be counted and grace us with his artistry and elegance on the field. We are in a for a treat if he hits form as there are not much better sights than Laxman in full flow.
6 comments:
'He even has a walk of a great player'...a bit like kartik then..lol!
Lakshman is key to our success on this tour. he must play ahead of yuvraj, and yuvraj and dhoni will have to fight for the seventh spot for the first test.
SRS (sachin, saurav, rahul) and laxman with yuvraj at 7, kartik to open with gautum/jaffer...not sure if dhoni's technique and form warant a place though??
Yes I have a thing about walks and what it says about a player - both Laxman and Kartik spell quality to me!
On present form, Dhoni should sit out, but it's a nice problem to have for the Indians.
wow! sachin back with a bang. infact the belfast series vs south africa had glimpses of the 90s.:) The opening gambit stills worries me?? :(
Sorry Rashmika, but Laxman didn't enjoy a bit being sent up the order this time and was dismissed for no score, lasting just 3 deliveries!
Hope he does well at #6 though in tests!
Jaffer goes out and Dhoni stays on. Yuvraj is unlucky. Ishant Sharma would miss out and Bose or RP would be 3rd spinner....And so would Powar miss out.
Laxman has this tour as last one and if he fails in this one, then he s gone. He would be history. Yuvraj is gunning for the place.
Why not make Yuvraj open in place of loser Jaffer ?
This warm up match has not answered all the questions for the Indians.Jaffer might just sneak in, and I think Dhoni will play. It might be a toss up between Yuvraj and Laxman.
Think RP Singh will come in to join Shreesanth and Khan, as don't think Sharma did enough.
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