http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 Laxman - Part 1 - Opinion
Vangipurappu Venkata http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javaji-Annan-Sai-Laxman-c66515. This name is pretty complicated to begin with, yet ironically stands in stark contrast to the manner in which the name bearer played his strokes. Had he been English, he would be have been considered as divinely ordained.
The fact that he was an Indian made him a god in his true right.
VVS Laxman playing was undoubtedly a sight for the gods, if not god himself in the eyes of billions of cricket fans. If one is to take a look at his record in Test match cricket, then it is plausible to wonder what the fuss is all about. He batted amongst
some of the greats of Indian cricket, where the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Chinnadupargea-Sachin-c50607 Tendulkar’s achievements would overshadow his pursuits, which were equally significant. In a country, where individual records are sometimes worshiped
ahead of a team’s performance, Laxman was an important player for a plethora of reasons. Yet the recognition that he has gotten from a cricket mad audience which is obsessed with Tendulkar is perhaps an inadequate index for gauging the class of one of cricket’s
finest artists. He was very special, indeed.
Sublime, wristy, purely artistic and soothing to the eye, are the best ways to describe VVS Laxman. His retirement was a grave blow to international cricket fans and players alike, where Sri Lankan legend, Mahela Jayawardena acknowledged that his departure
was indeed a loss to cricket. He was a personal favourite for many cricket fans and commentators due to his natural style. As a player, Laxman combined subtlety with flare, which was in contrast to his contemporaries, who often combined these attributes with
inelegant ease. No batsman in the history of Indian cricket has managed to score with such freedom and be as pleasing to the eye at the same time as Laxman did in his prime. Not many cricketers, even in the earliest of days, could even envisage the prospect
of flicking half volleys outside of the off stump, through midwicket. Laxman could do it with such ease, that many of his contemporaries and even streets kids would begin practicing the wristy flick from outside of the off stump in various parks dotted across
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Azharuddin-c76823, who fittingly, was Laxman’s idol.
If Azhar and Laxman were batting at the same time, it would be difficult to tell them apart. Azhar was a prime example of what an Asian batsman had to offer cricket in terms of wrist work. Like Laxman, it was difficult to even consider the prospect of an
Australian, South African or English batsman, using the same subtle wrists to maneuver the ball into the gaps and drive fielders mad on numerous occasions. Azharuddin’s ability to smack fast men off the back foot and straight down the ground was analogous
to Laxman’s peppering of spinners against the turn out of the rough. Such strokes were shocking for any conformist, who considers technique and conventionalism as the crux of batsmanship. Laxman or Azhar for that matter would beg to differ, as conventionalism
was never quite the order of the day, as batting came from folklore which was aesthetic to the senses.
In addition, some of Laxman’s innings added finesse to the game of cricket which was increasingly being dominated by brutal bashers. He had played in financially less savory times, yet he maintained an impressive average of near 31 in ODI cricket. It can
be safely said however, that Laxman lacked the appetite for ODI cricket, unlike his idol Azhar, who cherished every format of the game, barring T20 cricket.
Continued in Part 2...
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: