VVS Laxman, what a gem of an Innings Mr Special played on a 5th day of turning track. Really with all the glittering of Indian Middle order this star is always sidelined but time and again when glitters of other failed to show the path in the most toughest conditions, VVS steps up and shows what magician he is. Today was such day, Sewhag who can terrorize the opposition was unable to open his account, Dravid who grinds and accumulates runs fell in a tricky way, Sachin looked calmer and wanted to play in Dravid's Shoes, walks in Laxman on a pitch which was offering awkward moments of bounce and turn.
If someone want to guess, whether Lax is in zone or not, need not go to Paul the Octopus, just need to watch few strokes and his feet movement. Lax brings so serenity to batting, at times you wonder is he a magicians or playing a classical music. Today while Sachin played grafter role, Laxman was more offensive. It was tricky situation, too much of defensive mindset may pressed the self-destruction button but losing one wicket means momentum shifts to loosing barrel. No doubt VVS is a gifted player, how on the earth he has so much of time to play spins on turning track. It is one of romanticism of test match cricket to wacth VVS wristy flicks and blossoming cover drives. Exactly same delivery he can play a wristy flick from outside off to midwicket and if his mood is different carress through extra-cover.
Due to some reason he is denied his recognition amidst star power of Sachin, Rahul and Sourav but if you ask the team-mates how vital his contributions are in winning overseas. Dravid wrote a nice little tribute to him on his cenetary test describing him 'Nothing Calms you like Laxman'. Australians normally mention Laxman in the same breath as Tendulkar but rarely would they have seen this side of him. Starting with his 95 in Kolkata, a forgotten gem from 1998 when he first drove Shane Warne inside out, he's been one to get instantly in the groove. Whether it's his epic 281, again in Kolkata, or his three classics in Sydney, or his cracker in Adelaide, or even his nuggets in Mumbai, Chennai and Brisbane and a majestic knock at Perth.
It is not only aussies anymore, Johannesburg he played a match-winning knock in 2006, Gambhir was architect in saving the test at eden park but Laxman pulvarises the last day with scintilatting century. Sometime it is tailor-made for him to step in, when writting is against the wall and he crawls back with his flamboyancy.
All is said and done, yet Very Very Special has always been subject of suspicion for his spot in middle order. To secure his spot he is asked to open initially but it is a spot he never really relished, so took a decision not to bend to open even if it costs him place in playing XI. He stuck to his decision and made his spot at lower middle order. For the number three position he had to fight with Dravid who has cemented that for decade and half. But every time when Dravid's form dropped and Laxman asked to put his pad on from the offset, he has delivered, and guess what delivered big,( Kolkata 2001, Sydney 2008). But he finally settle down for number 5, and he averages 85 this year, that is quite remarkable considering he is only playing one format. But still one innings from youngster triggers all debate about VVS's lack of agility in field. Mind you no Yuvis, Rainas, Kohlis has reached a level where they can play such innings on last day of a turning track. If Agility lacks, softness adds, India's one of the reliable sleep fielder who has a safe hands.
For now lets celebrate this special knock, in the hindsight I thank Mendis to put up a score to produce such a batting display by Lax. VVS you beauty.
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