Laxman's ability to middle the ball 99 times out of 100 stands him in good stead

Laxman's ability is just mind-boggling

Laxman's ability to middle the ball 99 times out of 100 stands him in good stead

The computer had India ranked number one and Australia at four.

The cricket told a different story; India was making mental mistakes, dropping catches and generally fielding poorly, while the Australians combined aggressive running between wickets with gritty batting and bowling.

Then something strange happened; well maybe not that unusual. The sight of a baggy green cap in the foreground and victory off in the distance has an energising affect on VVS Laxman. On those occasions he adds an extra V to his name and becomes Very, Very, Very Special.

Laxman marched out to bat like a straight-backed drill sergeant but his ailing back didn't stop him putting a bayonet through Australia's victory charge. There was nothing wrong with his eye-sight. He had visions of Kolkata and Chennai in 2001, only this time he was eyeing off a different style of finish.

India won those two excruciatingly tense matches in 2001 but Laxman wasn't able to celebrate victory with a bat waving ceremony. In Kolkata it was the bowlers who finished what he'd started and in Chennai he was robbed of the glory moment by a brilliant diving catch from the man in the Australian side who most emulated Laxman's style ufffd Mark Waugh.

In Mohali, Laxman appeared as though he was playing in a mid-week industrial league match. Even the irritating back injury wasn't really a concern; he'd already dealt with a similar problem in Sri Lanka and that resulted in Laxman clinching victory with a glorious century.

That was one thing he had going for him; he already knew what his limitations were with the back problem and had a fair idea how they could be overcome.

That's the most difficult thing for a batsman with an injury; he has to work out what's possible and what isn't. Often the player is back in the pavilion before he's solved the riddle.

And Laxman had one other crucial thing going for him in Mohali; his extraordinary hand eye co-ordination. If he'd been lost to cricket and become a doctor as so nearly happened, he'd have been a brilliant surgeon.
Amazing
His ability to middle the ball ninety nine times out of a hundred stood him in good stead, as he was unable to shift his feet very far. It's an amazing stroke of fate that India has two of the most gifted hand-eye players in the one team, with Virender Sehwag another similarly talented player.

Utilising his gift to the full, Laxman immediately began scoring at a good rate.

This was crucial in the situation because it not only dramatically reduced India's daunting target but it also put the Australian bowlers on the defensive.

Where every other Indian batsman had to contend with balls pitched on an awkward length, especially from the tireless Ben Hilfenhaus, Laxman avoided these dangerous deliveries by going on the attack.

Hilfenhaus was wary of over-pitching to Laxman because when he did the ball disappeared through cover or point to the boundary.

No lack of confidence
It's incredible to think that in his early days this remarkable stroke player would often ask, "Have you seen anything wrong with my batting?"

There was no lack of confidence through the whole ordeal in Mohali. Laxman was unflappable until victory beckoned; then even he became animated and remonstrated with his partners for not completing a crucial run as the deficit dwindled to single figures. This rare display of passion served to reveal the depth of his intense competitive drive.

Laxman's contribution to India's breathtaking victory went way beyond the runs he scored. His decision early on to put his faith in Ishant Sharma's batting ability, played a big part in the gangling quickie's vital role in their match-winning partnership.

Laxman has always been tactically aware; he would've been India's best choice as captain following Sourav Ganguly's successful reign. He will never captain the team but he'll forever be remembered as India's most prolific match-winning batsman.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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After the victory India remained number one and Australia at four, as recorded by the computer.

However, computers only tell you about history they have no concept of heart; they count Tests but don't account for temperament. You have to see VVS Laxman bat to understand his magic.

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