The Australian cricket team ought to be celebrating VVS Laxman's 36th birthday today if they believe age blunts a batsman's edge.
The Australian cricket team ought to be celebrating VVS Laxman's 36th birthday today if they believe age blunts a batsman's edge. VVS Laxman executes a cover drive against Australia during the Sydney Test in 2008. PIC/Getty Images
But their nemesis is not one who is afraid of the years catching up. Stats prove that he has only got meaner against them with age. In 2000, he hit 167 in the Sydney Test at 25 albeit for a losing cause. Before he turned 27, he scored that incredible, match-winning 281 in the Kolkata Test of 2001.
In December 2003, the month after he turned 29, he hit another match-winning hundredu00a0-- in Adelaide to help India take a series lead for the first time Down Under.
Though his hundred in Sydney, 2008 was for a lost case, last month, he crafted a superlative, unbeaten 73 with a bad back to win India the Mohali Test by one-wicket, a month before turning 36.
Laxman's next challenge comes in the form of the touring New Zealanders, who take on M S Dhoni's giants in the opening Test on November 4 at Ahmedabad, the very venue where Laxman walked out to bat in India colours for the first time in 1996. Excerpts from an interview:
Do you belong to that category of people who are afraid of getting older?
Not at all. I don't really think about age. I just enjoy representing my country and I am very passionate about it. I don't think about how old I am as long as I am able to do what I love doing.
Is there a cricketing birthday gift you received which you still treasure?
Nothing in particular, but I made my Test debut against South Africa in 1996 at Ahmedabad just after my 22nd birthday, so I cherished that moment.u00a0 On November 20, 1996, I realised my dream of representing my country. I've never looked too much into birthday gifts and parties, but I have always sought blessings from my elders.
You go back to Ahmedabad this weeku00a0-- to where it all began in international cricket for you. Are the memories still fresh?
I can never forget my first Test especially when you've played world-class bowlers like Allan Donald, Fanie de Villiers, Brian McMillan, Pat Symcox and the situation I went into bat (82 for 4) in the second innings and scored 50. It gave me a big thrill.u00a0 Also, the thought that I was doing something that I had always craved for, gave me a lot of satisfaction. Ahmedabad will always be special for me.
After your performance in the recent Mohali Test, there has been a huge amount of praise heaped on you by the Aussies. Has it been very humbling?
I am humbled by any praise showered on me. It gives one a lot of satisfaction when people recognise your efforts. But more than that, there is a lot of joy when you win a Test match from that kind of a situation. That Test must have been a memory to cherish for everybody; not only for the Indian cricketers, but the
Australians too. I am sure it was a very memorable Test match for them to play in too. Our victory will inspire us.
Many experts felt that they saw the real tough side of VVS Laxman in that Mohali Test...
Tough situations get the best out of me; give me an opportunity to do something special.u00a0I am happy that I have been able to do that quite a number of times in my career. Those occasions have pleased me immensely.
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