At 124-8, India were at bay against the rampant Australians
while chasing a modest total of 216 in the fourth innings of the first Test at
Mohali. India had VVS Laxman still at the crease who was suffering from a back
spasm and thus needed a runner. Laxman’s partner was Ishant Sharma - a genuine
novice with the bat.
Victory for India seemed to be impossible, but wait! The
Very, Very Special Laxman was still around. For the tail-enders he ensures
security and his calm mind despite being under enormous pressure allows him to
travel through the troubled water smoothly.
At Mohali, the short-pitch balls which hustled most of the
Indian batsmen seemed not to dent him. He pulled the short stuff with
authority. His stokes were a treat to watch for the purists and his composure
still kept the Indian dressing-room focused on the match.
And the Indian dressing-room went delirious when he ensured an astonishing win.
He simply pulled the match out of the fire with another
solid knock to dent the Australians hope.
It was a knock to remember and I can certainly tell in the
coming days that I have witnessed the master live, who did not bog down under
pressure.
V.V.S. Laxman, take a bow!
He is a match winner but technically still not great. But he will be missed by India when he calls it quits. On seaming pitches only Dravid will nourish I think.
ReplyDeleteBut still Laxman's defense is good enough to tackle the pacers.
ReplyDelete