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A challenge to face Mendis: Laxman

Principal Correspondent

Hyderabad: V.V.S. Laxman feels that India, even without Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will still be a formidable side when it takes on Sri Lanka on Lankan soil in the Test series.

Speaking on the sidelines of a private function in Hyderabad on Saturday, the 33-year-old cricketer said that the team still had Dinesh Kaarthick and Parthiv Patel — two very good wicketkeepers.

“And I believe that we will continue to do well in Sri Lanka though it will be a very tough series. We have always been doing well consistently abroad over the last three years,” he explained. “No doubt, the morale and confidence of the Sri Lankans should be high after winning the Asia Cup, but this Test series is bound to be a different proposition.”

Referring to Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka who bowled his team to victory in the recent Asia Cup final, the 93-Test veteran Laxman rated him as a unique and different sort of bowler. “It should be a challenge to face him but we are ready for that,” he observed.

On his own targets, the stylish Hyderabadi hoped to contribute to the team’s success in a big way. “It is always a pleasure to be part of a match-winning team. And, that (team victory) is my first objective instead of chasing any personal milestones,” Laxman said.

On the experience in the IPL, Laxman, who led Deccan Chargers, said it was terribly disappointing but hoped to make amends in the next edition. “There are bound to be some changes for the next edition and we are confident of a change of fortunes. In fact, we had quite a few match-winners but unfortunately they did not perform in the first edition,” he explained.

Laxman said left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha’s playing for India should be a big positive step for Hyderabad cricket. “There is tremendous talent in Hyderabad and Ojha’s selection, and his decent performances, should boost the morale of the youngsters in the City,” he remarked.

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