The fact that V.V.S. Laxman preferred to be at the gym on the morning on his 37th birthday on Tuesday to keep himself fit is perhaps a fair indication of the intensity with which he has been preparing for the upcoming series against West Indies at home and Australia in Australia.
“The series against West Indies might well be the beginning of our campaign to regain the No. 1 Test status,” said Laxman in an exclusive interview with The Hindu before leaving to join the Indian team.
“After the dismal series in England, the Tests against West Indies are very important. We hope to start on a very positive note and get back into the winning mood once again ahead of the Australian tour,” he said.
“In Test cricket, no team can be a push-over. You can never underestimate any team at this level. And, mind you, the West Indies is a side with some very talented cricketers. Importantly it seems to be playing to its potential in Bangladesh,” he added.
“When you play for your country, everything else takes a backseat. I always believed in staying focussed on the immediate challenges. And I look at West Indies series as yet another one,” said Laxman. “For me, the preparations have been the same since I made my Test debut in 1996,” he added.
“It is good that India got the winning feeling back when it drubbed England in the one-day series at home. It is an important result for the Test team too as it prepares for the long journey ahead to be back at the top in this format of the game,” said Laxman.
“I think we should not bother too much about the opposition's strong-points or weaknesses. I always believed that it is imperative that we play to our strengths instead of looking too much at the rival side.”
