Laxman enjoying celebrity status

By Vijay Lokapally

NEW DELHI, MAY 3. An answering machine indicates that he has begun screening the calls. His mail box - postal and electronic - is flooded with messages. Invitations to attend functions keep flooding. Visitors keep increasing. V.V.S. Laxman is just about adjusting to the changes in his life.

He is a celebrity, even though he gives no indications of being one. He still behaves as the lad next door. He continues to be as down to earth and as approachable as ever. Sure signs of the man having learnt well how to handle success, unlike some of his younger mates.

On a private visit to Delhi, Laxman shared his experience with The Hindu. ``Life has been hectic but enjoyable really. I like the attention because it shows that people are appreciating my performances against Australia. They are appreciating my contribution to the team's success. It was a big series and was followed immensely in all other countries. People are enjoying our victory against Australia.''

For Laxman, it was a remarkable transformation. From being one of the boys, he emerged the man of the season for a team which was in the process of transition. ``The changes were pleasant. Coming home after losing the first Test and then after the series win was so different. It was great to have won the Test after following-on and that is what made the people more happy perhaps.''

On the streets in Hyderabad, Laxman has become a face instantly recognised by the common man. And he recognises their concern and love for him as instantly. ``It is nice to be recognised. I feel happy when strangers tell me I did a good job. I feel thrilled when they say how I made India proud. It's a great feeling for me personally and I'm sure my mates must be feeling the same way elsewhere.''

Reflecting on the series, Laxman confessed it was his decision to bat in the lower order that changed the face of his career. And of Indian cricket one thought. ``I was not at all comfortable opening the innings and I'm happy the team management responded favourably and supported my desire to bat in the middle order. All my career I had batted in the middle order.''

Loyal to his employers

With little time for him to spend with his family and friends, Laxman is jetting across to turn out in local tournaments for Indian Airlines. The heat and dust is part of his routine even during off-season. ``Why not' he counters. ``I feel it's our duty. It's our responsibility towards people who give us jobs. As it is, most of the season I play for Hyderabad, South Zone or India. There is hardly any time to spare for Indian Airlines. So, whenever I'm free from playing the bigger league, I make myself available to play for my employers. In any case, they only ask us to play in the important matches like semifinals and final. I see it is part of my duty.''

As the Indian with the highest individual score in Test cricket, he says ``it is always nice to play in such tournaments because you gain a few things. These things help you eventually in the season ahead. It's a great experience to play in these matches because you are up against individuals who want to make a mark against you. Every bowler would be trying to take your wicket. So it becomes a great challenge. In these matches, you can try and innovate a few things. Like you can try playing a few new shots which you can't directly try at the international level. In an international match, you have at least five attacking bowlers while these local matches throw two or three attacking bowlers at you. Here you can develop shots and your overall game.''

Laxman will not spare a chance to play domestic cricket. ``I love contributing to my team and it doesn't matter if it happens to be a state, zone or departmental team. I learnt to play long innings at the domestic level only, so how can I think of avoiding it in future. The big scores in domestic cricket helped me a lot when planning those big innings at the international level. It helped especially in Kolkata. As I batted, I kept visualising my big innings against Karnataka (353). I batted with the same frame of mind. The confidence I acquired at the domestic level was a big factor when I played in an international match.''

A thorough team-man

His intensity of concentration is matched by few in the Indian team. And Laxman believes it comes naturally to him. ``To do well I have to concentrate. I learnt this early in my career. I think it is my duty to do well for the sake of the team. If you get a century for yourself, you must learn to extend your stay because the team needs you very much at that point. Having batted so long and being in a position to see the ball well, it is important that you don't lose your wicket just because you have got a century. That's why I was sad at Goa (in the one-dayer against Australia) when I scored a century but the team lost. I should have batted on since I was dominating the bowlers. It is easy to throw your wicket and that's what a good batsman should avoid. We have a responsibility towards the team.''

On the rising expectations, Laxman was as composed as he was facing Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. ``I know the expectations will now onwards be high but our confidence will also grow. I'll be happy as long as I live up to the expectations of the people and play to my potential.''

Considered by many as good captaincy material, Laxman, 26, is quite a selfless cricketer. He did not regret missing the 300 at Kolkata at all. ``I might have regretted had we not won the Test. But not after the end result. I had to bat aggressively because we needed quick runs to give the bowlers at least 75 overs. Once the Aussies started bowling a negative line I had to take my chances. I have no regrets of getting out at 281 because in the ultimate analysis what counted most was the fact that the Indian team won the Test.''

On tours, one has seen Laxman set up a small temple in his room. Quite like Navjot Singh Sidhu setting up a corner to pray. So it was hardly surprising when, following his grand success, Laxman brushed a lot of things aside and visited Shirdi. He is a strong devotee of Sai Baba. ``I am very religious,'' he says with lot of passion.

Well, he is enjoying the celebrity status. He is likely to sign up with Sporting Frontiers, which will take care of the commercial side of Laxman's career. Harbhajan Singh is the other cricketer in the list. The important thing is Laxman has not changed a bit after the success against Australia. ``Why should I change. My family and friends have not changed. My well- wishers have increased. They were the same when I was going through a difficult phase. They maintained their equanimity. So will I. I know one thing. As long as you concentrate on your game, nothing will change. The moment you lose your focus, things go wrong. It is very important to maintain your focus and I promise you I'll not give room for people to complain on this account.''

Indian cricket could do with some more players with the same attitude as V.V.S. Laxman.

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