V.V.S. Laxman - The unsung hero of the final Test
With V.V.S. Laxman on the crease, the Indian dressing room was in untypical calm despite tense situation on the ground. All the team sitting in the dressing room were well aware of Laxman’s credentials. After the winning runs were scored, it was the captain who was the first to come out of the pavilion to congratulate Laxman followed by the rest of the team.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. His highest score in the fourth innings in Sri Lanka was a mere 74. Even with such record, Laxman walked to the pitch with full confidence.
With Sachin Tendulkar already on the pitch, all was set for a perfect finish for India. Facing Suraj Randiv, who was bowling the spell of his life; it was a daunting task for Laxman as he was handicapped by his back injury. Randiv was accurate as he bowled to perfection. He bowled tightly as he gave nothing loose to the opposing batsmen. Laxman countered his bowling by flicking him through the on side. This was the same strategy he applied against his nemeses http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajantha-c42419 Mendis. Laxman did not seem to accurately pick his variations, but he kept on flicking as this was the only safe thing to do. Through this strategy, he kept on dodging both Randiv and Mendis.
With the passage of time, he gained confidence and started playing shots. He made full use of his wrists as he played some delicate shots against Randiv. Despite his back problem, he played some fine shots as he opened short leg and leg gully with his delicate sweep. He even played his pull shot, which was his bane in the Galle Test. After stabilizing on the pitch, he diverted his attention on settling some old scores. On the fifth day, he scored 39 runs off 44 balls from Mendis. He still found difficulty in reading Mendis but any loose ball was punished by the veteran Indian batsman. Talking about Mendis after the match, he said, “I don't think I was struggling against him. In all the innings I got out to him in different manner. It was not that I was getting out in the same fashion and [that he was] exposing my weak link. I didn't do anything different, I just played my natural game and to the merit of the ball.”
Similarly, Lasith Malinga, who was source of misery for Laxman in Galle, was also punished as he went for 18 off 21 balls. He even cured Malinga’s furious bouncer as he pulled them between fine leg and deep square leg with an abnormal ease. As http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 said, “If you see, Sachin got out once I took the runner. But I was in such pain that I thought the best decision in team's interest was to have a runner, instead of just giving away the wicket due to pain. Luckily, the partnership with Suresh Raina developed.”
Laxman once again proved his worth to Indian team. He has answered his critics through bat. Even with injury, he batted with confidence and calm as he steered India home. He stayed on the crease for 47 overs and throughout this time, the Indian dressing room was in state of calm and peace as they knew that the chase was in the most reliable and safe hands.
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