How uncanny is it that each time India won a Test in South Africa, in Johannesburg in late 2006 and here recently, V.V.S. Laxman and Zaheer Khan came together in the second innings at 148 for seven and separated at 218 for eight?
They aren't an obvious pair; opening batsmen and opening bowlers are more readily seen as joined at the hip.
But Laxman and Zaheer share such a deep bond of mateship that curious occurrences, such as their identical partnerships, aren't entirely startling.
Similarities
They have several similarities. They are essentially Indian cricketers, enchantingly skilful and apparently flawed: Laxman, the wristy virtuoso, Zaheer, the tearaway turned medium-fast manipulator of swing and seam.
Neither, however, has been restricted by style; both have found ways of overcoming the vulnerabilities inherent in their methods.
Just response
They've both been doubted, their mental and physical ability questioned. They've even been written off (mostly by those who know little). Neither has reduced himself to the level of the criticism. Both have found the just response, drawn from their incredible resolve.
But what's most significant about Laxman, 36, and Zaheer, 32, is the effect they have on their teammates: they are uniformly uplifting.
Laxman's failure — despite looking in no discomfort when he was in — and Zaheer's absence — laid low by a hamstring strain — deprived India in Centurion not only of two of its most proficient agents of victory, but also of two of its most stable, competitive minds.
Opponents respect Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, aware that these are great men who aren't easy to break; some are genuinely afraid of Virender Sehwag, mindful of how quickly he can kill a game; no one, however, evokes the dread, that sinking feeling that somehow a position of strength is going to be turned, that Laxman, trusted with a lost cause, does.
Loving pressure
Laxman is unaware of how he does it. All he knows is that pressure releases the best in him. This year alone, he has managed it four times, winning Tests here, against Sri Lanka in Colombo and against Australia in Mohali, and making safe the Ahmedabad Test against New Zealand.
Laxman's batting style helps, for he can persuade the ball, with little bodywork, to unprotected parts of the field on fourth and fifth-day tracks. His play against the break is exceptional, as his play against the swing. His reach as a tall man, a facet of his batting not always appreciated, helps him attack spinners aiming for the rough.
The ability to play late and without committing the front foot — although his balance is biased forward — serves him well when countering reverse-swing.
Laxman's gift for timing cricket balls that have aged and gone soft is just as remarkable. As a result, despite not being a notable thumper of the ball and despite being an unhurried runner between wickets, he can score quickly, thus transferring pressure. He also bats better with the tail than anyone.
Bowling brain
Zaheer is just as vital to India's cause. He isn't merely the spearhead of India's attack; he is its bowling brain.
He has evolved into a consummate practitioner, developing from a genuinely quick-bowler with only the delivery that left the right-hander with the angle to one of less hectic pace, but of far greater subtlety.
Zaheer became twice the bowler when he added the delivery that swings into the right-hander (or leaves the left-hander): it was part of his effort in 2006 to rediscover himself, an endeavour that included streamlining his action and cutting repeated biomechanical notches in the English county season.
Exhibiting control
Most importantly, the reduction in air-speed hasn't affected his penetration; it has, in fact, improved. Zaheer has shown that with control — and change — of swing, cut, angle, line, and length, any batsman can be dismissed. And although he chooses to bowl within himself, he retains a surprising turn of pace.
Having had to recover from injury, Zaheer understands his body and knows what to do to get the most out of it.
His knowledge of his action is just as detailed. He therefore understands his fast-bowling colleagues better than anyone.
Laxman described his friend best: “He is the one bowler I never like facing in the ‘nets'. His presence lifts all of us. He doesn't just bowl his quota of overs, he helps the younger bowlers in the match.
“The way he guides an Ishant or a Sreesanth when they are bowling is unbelievable. He has been a true match-winner for us over the years not only abroad but also in the sub-continent.”
Laxman may as well have been talking of himself — except he finds it difficult to talk about himself.
