For over a decade, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman have enthralled connoisseurs of Test cricket. The two performers have proved to the fast-changing cricketing world that orthodox methods of run-scoring will never go out of fashion.
Economising on effort and lending a rare touch of elegance to batsmanship, Dravid and Laxman have carved out a niche for themselves in an era when Sachin Tendulkar's deeds threaten to push every other performance to the background.
If Dravid has stood firm on foreign soil, Laxman has repeatedly played match-winning and match-saving innings like no other in contemporary cricket. Quiz one about what he thinks of the other, you discover their mutual esteem.
Dravid places Laxman among India's greatest bastmen for his consistent performances, at home and away.
“The position Laxman bats in — at No. 5 — sometimes you know you are under pressure. And Laxman has this uncanny ability to step up and deliver in those situations,” says Dravid.
It is not surprising that Dravid picks the epic, match-winning 281 after Australia made India follow-on at Eden Gardens in 2001 as Laxman's best.
“I cannot look beyond the 281. I had the best seat in the house. He was incredible. The way he played was phenomenal. But there are so many other critical innings that he has played. Lots of his crucial runs have not been his hundreds. I want to highlight that sometimes the 60s, 70s and 80s are more valuable than a 100, if made in difficult conditions,” explains Dravid.
On what Laxman brings to the dressing room, Dravid says, “What stands out is the level of professionalism that Laxman brings to his preparations, to his cricket.
“He is a really calm guy in the dressing room. He never gets too excited or too disappointed when he does not do too well.
“The level of equanimity that Laxman portrays, to take success and failure equally, is something that I really admire. He is someone I know that even many years after we finish playing I can connect with, irrespective of what we do in our lives.”
Laxman is equally happy to talk about Dravid's impact on Indian cricket and what he brings to the dressing room.
“It has been a very memorable association with Rahul from our under-19 days. I remember he scored a century against Hyderabad when I was still under-16. We got to know each other better when we played for South Zone (in the 1994-95 season). Since then, we have been good friends. I can say that, he has not changed as a person in all these years,” he says.
Great knowledge
“Rahul brings to the dressing room his great knowledge of the game. His cricketing acumen and reading of the game have always been unquestionable,” acknowledges Laxman.
An admirer of Dravid for being “always a perfectionist”, Laxman appreciates his “stylish batting and meticulous preparation.”
Talking of his favourite among Dravid's knocks, Laxman says: “Of the lot, I would pick his first century (148 against South Africa in January 1997) at Johannesburg as very special. The way he batted against Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Brian McMillan was incredible. Another knock from Rahul that comes to mind is the 233 at Adelaide (in 2003). He dominated the attack. He stayed positive under pressure and made sure we won.”
When asked to pick one of Dravid's strengths, Laxman says: “Probably, the way Rahul defends by fully stretching on to the front-foot. This is something I don't have.”
The two have a silent admirer in Tendulkar. He never misses a ball when they bat. Who would?
