“It is a great feeling to be the Number One Test team in the world, we are all proud of this wonderful achievement and it would have been better if we had won the Test series in South Africa,” says the stylish India middle-order batsman V. V. S. Laxman.
With Kochi signing him up for the IPL-IV, on his return from South Africa where India drew the three-Test match series (one-all) to retain the Number One status, the 36-year-old Hyderabadi says, “It has been a highly satisfying performance considering that not many gave us a chance after the first Test defeat.”
“After the first Test we just told to ourselves the significance of the whole tour and it is really a terrific turn-around in the second Test when the bowlers did a great job in restricting the hosts to below 150. I think that was the turning point of the whole series,” recalls the 120-Test veteran. “When everyone dismissed the Indian batting line-up as being inefficient against quality pace, I think we proved many wrong," he remarked.
In a closely-fought series, billed as a battle between the best batting line-up and the best pace bowling attack in familiar conditions, we have done really well. And, the fact that we came back for the first time unbeaten in a Test series there is a remarkable achievement, says Laxman.
“Personally, I am really happy to have played another crucial innings (96 in the second Test). I feel great to be compared to someone whom I respect a lot - G. R. Visvanath. Honestly, any of my innings if it helps the team win or draw the Test really gives me immense satisfaction,” he observed. “The crucial partnerships - first with Pujara and then with Zaheer in the second Test - were the clinching factors in terms of setting a big target in that match,” he added.
How do you compare the 96 in the second Test to the other match-winning or match-saving knocks you played till now? "It is difficult to draw a comparison. But, this should rank very high given the conditions and the fact that India won the Test,” he said with a proud smile.
“Yes, for the first-timers it was a very tough experience on this demanding tour. But, they will be much better cricketers after this tour. Honestly, all the experience we (seniors) had of playing there in the past came in very handy,” Laxman says.
On the final Test, when India came very close to winning it and even the first-ever series in South Africa, Laxman said one man stood between India and victory - Jacques Kallis. “He played a fabulous innings despite the serious injury. A truly great innings,” he added. “Yes, if only we could break the Kallis-Boucher stand earlier and set ourselves a target of below 250, we could have won the Test,” he said to a query.
Reason for not chasing 340 victory target on the final day? “We did not get the momentum going in the first 15 overs when Steyn and Morkel bowled exceptionally well. Then, we had to change our plans and play it safe. We are still pleased with the end-result,” Laxman pointed out.
Laxman doesn't believe that Ishant Sharma bowled badly. “You may look at the wickets tally against him. I tell you the Indian bowling as a unit was very good,” he said. “Like in recent times, in this series too we came back strongly after losing the first Test. This is a great sign and credit should go to the coach Gary (Kirsten) who ensures that all of us like one family - sharing moments of joy and disappointments too,” he explained.
What are the targets for 2011? “Nothing special. Just keep playing as well as I can and help the team's cause. Obviously, the English tour this summer should be a very tough one given the fact that they won the Ashes in Australia,” concluded Laxman, refusing to debate the recent IPL auction.
