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Laxman’s salvo at detractors

Y.B. Sarangi

NEW DELHI: After scoring a classy unbeaten double century on Thursday against his favourite opponent Australia, V.V.S. Laxman fired a salvo at his detractors who had prescribed a quick retirement.

Known as ‘Very Very Special’ for his silken strokeplay, Laxman asserted that he knew when to call it quits.

“People decide on our behalf (when to retire). Someone who has played for so long knows his responsibility and knows his role. We are not asking to respect us but at least don’t degrade us,” Laxman, who would be 34 soon, told the media after the second day’s play of the third Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla here.

Media creation

He said the talk about the retirement of senior players was the creation of the media. “The team management, the selectors have always backed us. It’s unfortunate that such negative stories come up. Despite this we had a good camp in Bangalore and the team got together and played well,” he said.

Laxman and Gautam Gambhir created a record as their double centuries in an innings became the first such instance in India’s cricketing history. Laxman had not got a big score for quite some time and was quite relaxed after getting one.

“There is a lot of satisfaction. I was getting hundreds but not big ones. Hopefully this (double century) will start the process. It’s crucial from that angle.”

Natural game

Laxman said he stuck to his natural game and played the ball according to merit. “I was not over-ambitious, still we scored at a healthy rate. Scoring 600 runs in five sessions is a very good run rate.”

On making a bowling action with his left hand after getting his century, Laxman said, “That was meant for Zaheer Khan and I will keep this secret.”

Asked about the Australian attack, Laxman said, “They tried various things with line and length. But we batted well.”

Tough task

Assessing the match, Laxman said the Australians had a tough job ahead. “If we get one or two quick wickets tomorrow then it will be good for us. The upper hand is with us.”

On why he was not given a run during his innings, Laxman said he had been warned for running on the pitch and was penalised later by umpire Billy Bowden.

Aussies confident

Meanwhile, Aussie paceman Stuart Clark said Australia was capable of keeping the series alive for the fourth and final Test in Nagpur. “That’s the big thing, our guys are capable. We have three-four guys who average 50-plus or close to 50. I think we are more than capable,” he said.

Clark admitted it had been a tough job for the Australian bowlers. “It was hard work for a couple of days. The track was good for batting. There was a little movement, just a hint of it,” he said.

Clark, however, agreed that all the Aussie plans fell flat as the Indians piled up the runs. “We tried everything we worked on at the nets. At different stages of the game, there were hints of reverse swing, but surely not as much as we would have liked.”

Despite the disappointment of giving away too many runs, Clark had a word of praise for Laxman. “He is a very wristy player who hits balls outside the off-stump through mid-wicket. He was very good today and once he got the momentum, he kept going,” he said.

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