In the modern era, in the age of T20 cricket, the bat is
used more to clover the bowling rather than a painter’s brush. Other than Hasim
Amla or Kumar Sangakkara, who are still carrying on the legacy of artistic batting,
there are hardly any artists in the game at present. The world of cricket is
getting addicted to rush. Modern eyes love the wild swing of the wrist rather
than the silky wrist crafts.
For more than a decade, one man’s wrist has been like a
wizard. One man painted epic arts on the white and green canvas of Test
cricket. One man’s bat spread magic all over the world. Yes, VVS Laxman’s bat
didn’t treat the ball, released from the bowlers hand, harshly; but he used to
play them so sweetly that it spread a sweet fragrant across the stadium to leave
the purists spell bound. When Laxman batted the Indian dressing room used to
relax. And why not? Time and again, the Hyderabadi maestro delivered the best
when the going used to get tough.
India’s rise to the pinnacle of glory in Test cricket in the
last decade heavily depends on two warriors’ gallant efforts – Rahul Dravid and
VVS Laxman. India’s poor show in abroad has been erased by these two warriors’
heroics. Dravid built a fort while Laxman scripted the classical essay. And
years after years the Ram-Laxman duet of world cricket made the opposition,
especially the Australians, cry by essaying some famous victories for India.
Laxman had been the sailor of an angry sea. In his whole
career he had been asked tough questions and again and again he answered those
questions with utmost authority. No matter how difficult the situation it might
be, Laxman used to guide his team safely to the shore. The most difficult task
of a batsman is to marshal a tail-ender in trying circumstances. A batsman of
special caliber and guts associated with solid technique and iron steel
temperament can only ensure security while batting with a tail-ender. Inzamam
was the one who did it in style and the other was VVS Laxman.
To many the 281 against Australia will be rated amongst his
all-time best. But in my book the 96 runs he scored at Durban will be written
in the letters of gold in my memory. In that knock he made many of his
teammates look ordinary. Again, he was batting with a tail-ender and again he
nurtured the tail so well to ensure India a safe total to defend. The presence
of Laxman simply generated a feeling of assurance which is a unique quality,
very rare in this age of T20.
He had never been a star, he had never been a ‘GOD.’ He had
never been worshiped by the Indians. But he had been the master who never failed
on tough assignments. By watching the craziness of the prophets of doom and
gloom, his bat didn’t stop making runs;
but they tackled the adversities with a touch of majestic artistry. The prophets of doom and
gloom halted their craziness , bowed down in front of the master of disaster
management and ended up worshiping the master.
Laxman had been a champion artist. The bigger the stage, the
bigger the occasion, the bigger the challenge; Laxman will paint the finest of the
arts with his magical wrists. Today, Laxman said goodbye to Test cricket. And
suddenly, I see the world without any colour. I shall not see the mulberry leaf
becoming a silk with time and patience. I shall miss an artist of a very, very
special kind.
Goodbye VVS Laxman!
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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