On the Saturday afternoon of 18th August 2012, I was just dawdling mytime on the Internet, as it had become my habit for quite sometime.After getting a bit bored from Facebook, I presumed that checking outmy Yahoo mail could provide me with some relief from the boredom.As soon as I opened the Homepage, there was a Breaking News -A Headline flashing before my eyes that said – ” VVS Laxman mayannounce his Retirement after the First Test against New Zealand inHyderabad”.
I was shocked to be honest. Neither me and nor the thousands of
Cricket Fans Worldwide expected this to come so early. Yes, I knew that
he was 37, and nearing the end of his Illustrious career spanning over
16 years in total, but such a sudden decision was completely unhoped-
for.This abrupt decision taken by one of the finest, the most stylish
and wristiest batsmen to have ever played the game – a thorough
Gentleman both on and off the field reminded me of another Champion
Cricketer Anil Kumble, one day who also stunned the World by the
retirement that was also unforeseen by the Majority.
Cricket Fans Worldwide expected this to come so early. Yes, I knew that
he was 37, and nearing the end of his Illustrious career spanning over
16 years in total, but such a sudden decision was completely unhoped-
for.This abrupt decision taken by one of the finest, the most stylish
and wristiest batsmen to have ever played the game – a thorough
Gentleman both on and off the field reminded me of another Champion
Cricketer Anil Kumble, one day who also stunned the World by the
retirement that was also unforeseen by the Majority.
Coming back to VVS’s decision, I made sure that I am not going to
miss the Sendoff by the players when he walks out to bat in the second
innings at Hyderabad, even if it means that I will have to miss one day
of my College.. I wanted to see it live. But little did I knew that the same
evening, the Domain will witness his Final Goodbye to international
Cricket with “Immediate Effect”. At first, I felt cheated and angry that
such a Legend is not even giving his Homecrowd a chance to bid him
adieu, one last time !
miss the Sendoff by the players when he walks out to bat in the second
innings at Hyderabad, even if it means that I will have to miss one day
of my College.. I wanted to see it live. But little did I knew that the same
evening, the Domain will witness his Final Goodbye to international
Cricket with “Immediate Effect”. At first, I felt cheated and angry that
such a Legend is not even giving his Homecrowd a chance to bid him
adieu, one last time !
When asked the reason by the media for such a hurried decision, VVS
explained that he listened to his inner voice that did not let him
continue, and called it quits. I know we were all extremely surprised &
disappointed by his conclusion, but the most shocking part was his wife
Sailaja’s reaction at the ceremony where she couldn’t control her
emotions- tears rolling down her cheeks, who expected her husband to
contribute to the team against the touring English who play four test
matches, and against Australia in February 2013. For me, I personally
felt that VVS left hurt. Having already left the ODI arena a long time
back, back in the South African summer of December 2006, perhaps
VVS, or ‘ Very Very Special ‘ as he’s called by his fans was done playing
not more than 6-7 test matches every year.
explained that he listened to his inner voice that did not let him
continue, and called it quits. I know we were all extremely surprised &
disappointed by his conclusion, but the most shocking part was his wife
Sailaja’s reaction at the ceremony where she couldn’t control her
emotions- tears rolling down her cheeks, who expected her husband to
contribute to the team against the touring English who play four test
matches, and against Australia in February 2013. For me, I personally
felt that VVS left hurt. Having already left the ODI arena a long time
back, back in the South African summer of December 2006, perhaps
VVS, or ‘ Very Very Special ‘ as he’s called by his fans was done playing
not more than 6-7 test matches every year.
I do not mean to say that VVS was tired of representing his country.. It’s
just that he felt his time to step down had come and a large number of
talented youngsters waiting in the sidelines must be given a fair
opportunity to showcase their skills. Anyhow, there have always been
unavailing comparisons by the media between the legends like Dravid,
Tendulkar, Ganguly, Kumble and Laxman & who could act as a potential
replacements for these Giants of the game among the Youngistaan or
the young brigade of India, comprising the likes of Virat Kohli, Suresh
Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara or Subramaniam Badrinath.
But amidst all these junked debates going on, people forget that all these
so called young guns have miles to go before they could even be counted
among the before listed distinguished Class of Gentlemen, or without
the proper Spirit, guidance and, most importantly, adaptability they
could turn out to be a promising but hapless case just like Vinod Kambli,
who was ‘better’ than Sachin, according to their common friends. And
even if these Supremos do match these Giants, there’s something
called ‘modesty’,'humility’ & mode of conduct – both on & off the field
that is extremely challenging for the upcoming talents to practice.
just that he felt his time to step down had come and a large number of
talented youngsters waiting in the sidelines must be given a fair
opportunity to showcase their skills. Anyhow, there have always been
unavailing comparisons by the media between the legends like Dravid,
Tendulkar, Ganguly, Kumble and Laxman & who could act as a potential
replacements for these Giants of the game among the Youngistaan or
the young brigade of India, comprising the likes of Virat Kohli, Suresh
Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara or Subramaniam Badrinath.
But amidst all these junked debates going on, people forget that all these
so called young guns have miles to go before they could even be counted
among the before listed distinguished Class of Gentlemen, or without
the proper Spirit, guidance and, most importantly, adaptability they
could turn out to be a promising but hapless case just like Vinod Kambli,
who was ‘better’ than Sachin, according to their common friends. And
even if these Supremos do match these Giants, there’s something
called ‘modesty’,'humility’ & mode of conduct – both on & off the field
that is extremely challenging for the upcoming talents to practice.
The Newspaper of 19th August was even more unsatisfying with only a
couple of articles covering The Wristy Hyderabadi maestro’s career end.
No, I am not saying that an entire daily newsprint should have been
dedicated to him as a tribute, but for a guy who has played over a 130
Test matches, won the Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, 2002 Wisden
Cricketer of the year, 10 Man Of the Match Awards, scored over 8700 Test
Match runs & who shares the rare joy of his match winning innings of
281 against the most dominant team of our era – The Aussies after India
was following on on a dusty Kolkata Pitch earning the uncommon
decree of being recognised as the 6th Greatest Test Match Innings of
all time ( The only Indian innings in the top 10 list ), undoubtedly,
Laxman deserved more. Even if Sachin Tendulkar is caught sneezing
inside his home, it gets much more media coverage and Publicity.
couple of articles covering The Wristy Hyderabadi maestro’s career end.
No, I am not saying that an entire daily newsprint should have been
dedicated to him as a tribute, but for a guy who has played over a 130
Test matches, won the Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, 2002 Wisden
Cricketer of the year, 10 Man Of the Match Awards, scored over 8700 Test
Match runs & who shares the rare joy of his match winning innings of
281 against the most dominant team of our era – The Aussies after India
was following on on a dusty Kolkata Pitch earning the uncommon
decree of being recognised as the 6th Greatest Test Match Innings of
all time ( The only Indian innings in the top 10 list ), undoubtedly,
Laxman deserved more. Even if Sachin Tendulkar is caught sneezing
inside his home, it gets much more media coverage and Publicity.
Woefully, even after serving the national team for more than 16 years,
Laxman hardly enjoyed the popularity, media coverage and ardent fan
base like Sourav Ganguly or Sachin Tendulkar. Even Yesterday’s Star
Virat Kohli has a much larger fan following as compared to “The God of
2nd Innings” who interestingly had a second innings average higher
than his first. One of the greatest match winning players, VVS was far
underrated by his fans. Even to this day, even though Dravid is another
one sharing his ‘underrated’ tag, yet people used to look upto Rahul at
the times of adversity, keenly hoping that he will rise up to the occassion
and deliver. But unfortunately even so, Laxman hardly enjoyed the
sumptuosity of expectations, which perhaps shriveled him of much
pressure.
Laxman hardly enjoyed the popularity, media coverage and ardent fan
base like Sourav Ganguly or Sachin Tendulkar. Even Yesterday’s Star
Virat Kohli has a much larger fan following as compared to “The God of
2nd Innings” who interestingly had a second innings average higher
than his first. One of the greatest match winning players, VVS was far
underrated by his fans. Even to this day, even though Dravid is another
one sharing his ‘underrated’ tag, yet people used to look upto Rahul at
the times of adversity, keenly hoping that he will rise up to the occassion
and deliver. But unfortunately even so, Laxman hardly enjoyed the
sumptuosity of expectations, which perhaps shriveled him of much
pressure.
I have always believed that the true greatness of a sportsman could be
concluded only in the manner he/she reacts to the unfavourable
conditions, challenging opponents and response to critical adversity.
Laxman matches up all these conditions comfortably with the
Australians, the best team in the business getting the best out of him- a
total of more than 2000 runs amassed against one of the best bowling
attacks of the last decade, taming the likes of McGrath, Lee, Clark,
Warne, Gillespie and Kasprowicz, at an outstanding average nearing 50,
better than his career average of 46.
concluded only in the manner he/she reacts to the unfavourable
conditions, challenging opponents and response to critical adversity.
Laxman matches up all these conditions comfortably with the
Australians, the best team in the business getting the best out of him- a
total of more than 2000 runs amassed against one of the best bowling
attacks of the last decade, taming the likes of McGrath, Lee, Clark,
Warne, Gillespie and Kasprowicz, at an outstanding average nearing 50,
better than his career average of 46.
For me, VVS has always seemed like a very shy, introvert and a no-
nonsense cricketer in the true sense. While others are busy signing
big advertisement deals, I don’t remember seeing him in any, perhaps
I could be missing a couple or so. That has been what VVS has always
been like, never staying in the spotlight and silently going about his job,
trying to put the team above anything else, placing his personal
statistics on the sideline. Always cool as a Cucumber, when I think of
Laxman losing his cool, the instance that abruptly erupts in my
mind was the 2010 Mohali Test, once again against the Aussies, where
he went a bit crazy on Pragyan Ojha seeing his running between the
wickets, when Laxman was making India inch towards a thrilling
Victory, scoring an innings of 73*, battling terrible backpain and
cramps- another instance depicting a masterpiece of a Very Very
Special Warrior.
nonsense cricketer in the true sense. While others are busy signing
big advertisement deals, I don’t remember seeing him in any, perhaps
I could be missing a couple or so. That has been what VVS has always
been like, never staying in the spotlight and silently going about his job,
trying to put the team above anything else, placing his personal
statistics on the sideline. Always cool as a Cucumber, when I think of
Laxman losing his cool, the instance that abruptly erupts in my
mind was the 2010 Mohali Test, once again against the Aussies, where
he went a bit crazy on Pragyan Ojha seeing his running between the
wickets, when Laxman was making India inch towards a thrilling
Victory, scoring an innings of 73*, battling terrible backpain and
cramps- another instance depicting a masterpiece of a Very Very
Special Warrior.
Another of his finest knocks was the 148 against The Kangaroos in the
2003-04 at Adelaide – a series in which the hosts agreed
that they did not know where to bowl to him! Another of the gems- a 91
against the Kiwis in 2010 proved that VVS is no weaker player against
other teams- again being the unsung hero when India was reduced to
15/5. We only consider Laxman’s batting but seldom do we notice that
he has been one of the finest slip catchers – grabbing the ball in his hands
on a total of 135 test match occassions.
2003-04 at Adelaide – a series in which the hosts agreed
that they did not know where to bowl to him! Another of the gems- a 91
against the Kiwis in 2010 proved that VVS is no weaker player against
other teams- again being the unsung hero when India was reduced to
15/5. We only consider Laxman’s batting but seldom do we notice that
he has been one of the finest slip catchers – grabbing the ball in his hands
on a total of 135 test match occassions.
At his sublime best, in the words of cricket writer Sambit Bal, Laxman
is a sight for The Gods. Wristy and sinuous are the best words to describe
his batting style, like his Idol Azharuddin, and possesses a rare gift of
being able to play the same ball on both sides of the wicket. Laxman has
never been an outstanding runner between the wickets, but that’s
matched by his ability to be The Saviour of Team India. With numerous
frustrating twenties and thirties in the ODI’s, Laxman failed to properly
cement his placed in the one day side. If asked what would it be that he
regrets in his career, I am sure his top priority would have to have been
the part of the 2003 World Cup side. It’s sad to see a player of such value
not having been a part of that squad.
is a sight for The Gods. Wristy and sinuous are the best words to describe
his batting style, like his Idol Azharuddin, and possesses a rare gift of
being able to play the same ball on both sides of the wicket. Laxman has
never been an outstanding runner between the wickets, but that’s
matched by his ability to be The Saviour of Team India. With numerous
frustrating twenties and thirties in the ODI’s, Laxman failed to properly
cement his placed in the one day side. If asked what would it be that he
regrets in his career, I am sure his top priority would have to have been
the part of the 2003 World Cup side. It’s sad to see a player of such value
not having been a part of that squad.
Laxman has called it’s over, that he quits, and I don’t know if you agree
with me or not, but the era of classical test batsmen is now finally over
after the departure of Dravid, and now VVS Laxman. But as the Bhagavad
Geeta says -” The World was there before you arrived and will exist
after your departure”, similarly Test Match Cricket was there before he
arrived and it will exist even now, after his departure. But there’s a
Difference ! It will never remain the same.
with me or not, but the era of classical test batsmen is now finally over
after the departure of Dravid, and now VVS Laxman. But as the Bhagavad
Geeta says -” The World was there before you arrived and will exist
after your departure”, similarly Test Match Cricket was there before he
arrived and it will exist even now, after his departure. But there’s a
Difference ! It will never remain the same.
Farewell VVS & Thankyou for the memories! You’ll be badly missed!
