Sunil Gavaskar once said that his score of 236 shouldn’t be the highest score by an Indian in Test Match Cricket, considering the quality of batsmen India had around that time, with the likes of Sachn, Sourav, Rahul etc in its batting lineup. May be I have a selective memory, but if I remember correctly, VVS Laxman’s name was not in that list. And guess who broke Sunil Gavasakar’s record? 2001 – Eden Gardens. This phrase is adequate to pump a few ounces of blood into your head for ‘that’ kick.
When one is asked to tell then names of few of the finest Indian players ever, I doubt if Laxman’s name will ever find its place. For in the annals of Indian Cricketing History, Laxman may not be the most popular player among the watching public, for there was nothing graphic about him. His counterparts were far more glamorous and ostentatious.
Sachin was, and is still, deservingly, the boy genius, about whom all of us go, ga-ga. Rahul is the purist's delight. An easy referencing play for any coach. Sourav (or is it Saurav?) was the bad boy who led India, and who at his pomp would decimate the opposition players, and their egos big time. Kumble had a general like aura around him. And to his credit, has led the Indian cricket team. What does Laxman have?
Brought in as an opener, among many openers which India tried in the late nineties, despite being a middle order batsman. He wasn't successful in that position. Many, including me, used to deride him quoting the obvious proof, lack of performance, that he wasn't cut out for the Indian national team. We declared that, he was unfit for being even a ball boy, for he didn't score any runs. I even remember the headline in a news article "Now the search is for Mr.Right?" after "Sada"goppan Ramesh was found to be the part-answer for the India's opening batsman question. The article had lamented how India is not able to find a suitable ally for Ramesh to open the innings. We, the regional jingoists, rooted for Ramesh, and derided Laxman, calling him names. We were convinced of his abilities (or the lack of it) and were pretty sure that he would get axed shortly.
And then we ate our words. And how.
2000. January. Sydney. That classic 167 ending in near darkness.India had lost. But Laxman had won. His first test century. Against Australians at their pomp, and in their den. Gritty and classy innings, I was stunned at this man's marvel and grace. Rahul Dravid's strokes started looking like slaughterhouse chops! If there was poetry on the cricket field, Laxman's innings could pretty well be THE one.
And then the greatest followed.
2001. March. Kolkata. Eden Gardens. The timeless 281. Arguably the greatest test match of the decade, or even the century. Only the second time in a century, that a team which had followed on, registered a victory. The innings that halted the Australian juggernaut. I vividly remember how me and Patrick roamed around Trichy to find a browsing centre to track the match status. Spent a bomb on the internet booth to know the result. Experienced a bliss which only a true cricket lover would appreciate and understand.
Recollecting that test match would lift the spirits of even the dead.
2003. December. Adelaide Oval. That super-sidekick effort of 148. If Dravid was Munna, Laxman was the Circuit. Needless to say, without Circuit, Munna wouldn't rock as much as he does now. A wait longer than my age. India had atlast erased bad memories of visits to Australia, including a whitewash a few years back.
2008. January. Again Australia. Again Sydney. India lost again. Again Laxman won. Though the test match would be remembered for all the wrong reasons, Laxman's effort cannot be forgotten.
Colombo 2010 August followed. For a change, Sri Lanka at the receiving end.
Mohali 2010 October. Again the hardnut Aussies were Laxmanised!
Durban 2010 December. It was the Proteas turn to be stunned.
The list isn't endless. It is short. But it is darn sweet. Pleasant. And Inspiring. It does hurt that the he isn't the most recognizable face of the Indian team. For the general public which is high on the dope of IPL jazz, which dotes on "discoop", "switch hiting" and street fight kind of butchering of opposition, Laxman would be that Suit Booted silky smooth assassin, a la Jackal, who would eliminate the opposition, without any noise or fuss. A misfit.
He may not have any aura around him. There is no spotlight. Often he is invisible in the shadows created by the spotlight on the poster boys. Does he need a spotlight to showcase his greatness? Do we need that to realize his greatness? Does the God need that show his divinity and grace to the true devout?
And do we need the indecisive Ram, or the invisible Rahim, who divide country, polarize people, create disharmony, destroys peace, when we have Laxman who unites and gives far greater pleasure to one and all?
Comments
And even for this Cricketing Layman, Laxman has become a hero in recent times, an epitome of the word GRIT.He does deserve most of the spot light that is on the Indian Test Team.
Cricket is only an "Entertainment". There is no doubt about that. At best it can be used as an or considered as an instrument for proxy war or for forging friendship.
Undue publicity is due to two reasons - India's victory at 1983 world cup, which people even today identify with. And cricket being an English Ball Game. Gentleman's Game. So,like all things phoren, that too from the old blighty, cricket has some extra attraction.
Would be soon posting a blog on that (sometime today or tomorrow).
Laxman is truly an epitome of grit. Only trouble, his face never reflects this. Imagine Dravid or Kumble, and their sweating face, and eyes. And then imagine VVS. This man is a fighter. But not a street fighter. His grit is more in his attitude and performance than his demeanour.
Cheers
Just in case you havent read that before.
In fact, I created the first draft way back in October 2010, (10.10.10 to be precise), immediately after the test match between India and Australia. Which is almost the same time as the date of the article. Needless to say, Harsha Bhogle's article is far superior, for its content, data and style.
I tried to write the entire post in the background of the Babri Masjid verdict, and also my thoughts on Laxman.
Cheers
If i were to pick an All India greatest Test XI,my No.5 or 6 would be Laxman,yes he would have competition from the likes of Md Azharuddin,G Vishwanath and Dilip Vengsarkar.
Its sad that people will remember him only for his 281 but there have been other match saving/winning performances that people tend to ignore..Some which i can quote
1)MOM in Trinidad Test with 50 in both innings thus winning a test in the Carribean after 30 years.
2)His brilliant unbeated 79 batting with the tail to help Ind win a famous match against the Aussies
3)A brilliant century on a turning track against SL when everybody else were at sea.
4)A match saving 91 when Ind were 20/5 and striking a crucial partnership with Bhajji thus saving the match for Ind and avoiding embarassment against a pretty ordinary Kiwi side.
5)An outstanding 96 in a bouncy Durban Test against the likes of Steyn and Morkel,thus giving India a memorable win.
Im stopping with this but there is much more.
Infact the last 4 instances came in the last one year.
He is also in my view the greatest player to have never featured in a WC.But saying that,he would be disheartened that he could never really make it big as a ODI player.The selectors are also partly to blame coz they gave ordinary players more chances.
Its high time this silent and simple man gets the respect he deserves.He is much beyond the 281.
I dont know about the general public but for me he has provided tremendous entertainment over the years.I simply love watching him bat.
Admittedly he is beyond the 281. But the 281 is more than just a number. In one innings he caught the attention of all and sundry from the Holy Trinity (Plus Kumble). It is not just a turning point for VVS, but for the Indian cricket itself. I can't recollect any other match which has had such an impact on any team.
Snatching victories from the depths of defeat is one thing. He has done it manytimes over. Other also have. But 281? He not only grabbed victory's hair, but the entire head. But for that victory, Indian cricket would have been buried for some more time.
That is the mother of all comebacks. Indians were thrashed in the previous match in Mumbai. Whitewashed couple of years back downunder. The previous ten matches had a result of just two victories. That too against Bangaladesh and Zimbabwe. Seven Losses. A new captain. Team under constant suspicion. Thanks to a skipper and a gambler. Most of us had lost faith. An innings should be judged not by its number. True. But by the context. I would like to add, the context shouldn't be just restricted to the match situation. This is where, in my view, no other innings in the international cricket, can even hold a candle to VVS 281.
Despite all the big talk about Sehwag's "See Ball, Hit Ball", the Indian batsmen who has the best test average in the last one year happens to be Sachin followed by VVS.
Giving ordinary players more time is possible only if the ordinary player is Bombay. I am not sure if other state players have enjoyed such high degree of success (as in opportunity).
There are lot of people who enjoy his batting. Unfortunately like the batsman they follow, they are also often silent. May be because, it is one pleasure, they don't want to share with others.
Cheers