When VVS Laxman scored his first hundred (167) at the Sydney Cricket Ground 10 years ago, the Aussies wondered how could someone be so disrespectful to bowlers of an all-conquering team.
When VVS Laxman scored his first hundred (167) at the Sydney Cricket Ground 10 years ago, the Aussies wondered how could someone be so disrespectful to bowlers of an all-conquering team.
When he got his second hundred at Sydney four years later, the Aussies didn't know what had hit them. This time, his knock was not in a losing cause. The then Aussie Prime Minister John Howard told MiD DAY that he preferred watching Laxman of all the Indian batsmen.
When Laxman scored his third hundred in Sydney in 2008, the Aussies couldn't believe his enduring brilliance. Several Eden Gardens fans felt the same way yesterday when the gentle Hyderabadi came up with yet another gem in their city. Suddenly, his 281 against Australia appeared as if happened just yesterday and not nine years ago.
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But Laxman is a splendid team man, who is known to deliver when it matters. The larger team goal seems to have taken a toll on his personal record. Batting lower down means he is always left to shepherd the tail and Laxman's record does not do justice to his talent.
His conversion rate of half-centuries to 100s is the poorest in the current Indian batting line-up. Tendulkar has 55 half-centuries to 47 hundreds, Virender Sehwag has a ratio of 21:19, Rahul Dravid 58:29 and Gautam Gambhir 11:9 while against his 43 half-centuries, Laxman has scored just 15 centuries.
Perfect day
In many ways, yesterday was a perfect day for Laxman. He not only got India out of a tricky situation against a South African attack which could turn things around, but also played magnificently.
His unbeaten 143 helped India declare on 643 for six and take control of the must-win game.
"I was a little bit disappointed that I was not able to convert my 50s and 60s into 100s, but on the positive side, I am able to consistently perform for the team. I always enjoy playing in tough situations and deliver for my team. I really feel happy whenever I do well and bail the team out of tough situations.
"Playing at the Eden Gardens is a great feeling and getting 1000 runs at this venue will always remain special. I love coming to Kolkata. The spectators here are so passionate and the noise level is unbelievable." said Laxman.
He scored his last hundred almost a year agou00a0-- in March, 2009 against New Zealand. Critics would view this as inconsistency. His fans will say, 'you don't have to score a century to highlight your worth in the team.' And they are right!
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