Laxman enacts a sensational symphony

By Vijay Lokapally

KOLKATA, MARCH 13. When he walked out this morning, none gave him a second thought but a standing ovation was accorded to the Hyderabadi in the evening as India lived to fight another day at the Eden Gardens here.

Crowds outside jostled to catch a glimpse of the man they had watched almost the entire day in the middle. The mounted police relented its charge and allowed the fans to wave and cheer the hero of the day.

V.V.S. Laxman, after an arduous tussle, had finally arrived. ``I had to prove myself'' he said humbly. In effect, a reminder to those who had described him a mere domestic performer.

Thanks to his batting symphony in the middle, the Indian bowlers could now entertain some hopes of making the Australians dance to their tune if the team could continue to maintain the profile achieved today.

Laxman could not help the team avert the follow-on in the morning but gave ample indications of his form with a half century laced with sensational boundaries.

He went beyond that when he came back at the number three spot, carving his second Test century, in an effort which should go a long way in motivating the Indian dressing room.

Does he need prove his credentials again, and again. Hope not after the aesthetic evidence on Tuesday as he lifted the spirits of a most demoralised team.

The century that he whipped amidst increasing gloom shall stand out for its verve and quality. As he reminded ``it was a very special innings because it had come against the best attack in the world.''

Well, a quick sum up of the day's events. India, resuming at 128 for eight, folded for 171.

Asked to follow-on, it finished at 254 for four. Now, on to the Laxman saga. There was little other than this graceful batsman to merit attention today.

We all know he was uncomfortable in the opener's slot. We also know how he produced that stunning 167 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Few, however, would be aware of the turmoil in his mind as his career stood at the crossroads when he lost his place after failing against South Africa in Mumbai.

Again, it was Mumbai which tormented him when he could not get going against Australia in the current series.

Resolve pays off

So, when he took guard this morning, Laxman made a resolve. ``I have to perform something extraordinary'' he kept reminding himself. He could not help India avert the follow-on, done in by a debatable decision from Peter Willey, but he took the Australians by the scruff and produced a glowing innings, which carried enough light to guide the side.

Laxman's task was onerous. The Indians had taken off on a sound footing through some daring strokes by opener S. Ramesh before he succumbed to Shane Warne.

After an entertaining stand with a confident Shiv Sunder Das, Laxman had the disappointment of seeing his partner become a hit- wicket victim.

All this while, Laxman had batted most positively. He had made up his mind not to curb his shots and there was a refreshing touch about the manner in which he built his innings.

The Australians came at him with all their might but he stood up with all valour one would associate with a man who believes in himself.

Laxman was not to be intimidated, shackled, and conquered by an attack which had met a fitting match in him.

The feature of Laxman's knock was that the flow of rune never ebbed. He brushed reputations aside and belted Warne and Glenn McGrath in a most memorable exhibition of attacking shots. The Australians knew they had a job on hand.

A deathly silence gripped the Eden Gardens when Sachin Tendulkar played a poor stroke to fail for the second time in the Test. All seemed lost and one incensed fan hurled a water pouch which missed Tendulkar by a whisker. The act, rightly condemned by all in that particular stand, reflected the disappointment of the fan who had no faith in the rest of the team. How wrong he was to prove.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly was confronted with a strange field where only the umpire happened to be the lone figure. Bowling on and outside off, the Australians tried to frustrate, and induce the left-hander who chose the path of discretion, and wisely played the ball on merit. After all, he had a partner swiping the Aussies at the other end with a remarkable display of quality batsmanship. Ganguly and Laxman added 117 runs before the former's vigil ended to a nick behind. The Indian skipper had looked quite determined in his disciplined essay as he enjoyed the batting of Laxman at the other end.

A grand sight

It was a grand sight that Laxman presented. McGrath being driven on the rise and pulled with disdain; Jason Gillespie being smashed square; Michael Kasprowicz handed the same harsh treatment; And Warne. The leggie was conquered by the majestic Laxman.

``You have to step out to Warne''. This one precious line from N.S. Sidhu had been etched in Laxman's mind. This day, he not only dominated the much dreaded Aussie fast men but the spin wizard too. Time and again Warne explored around the stumps but every time Laxman left the crease to nullify the designs of the Aussie, who was left frustrated.

Of the 19 boundaries that he hit in his unbeaten innings, Laxman picked six off Warne, all on-driven except one ferocious pull. Such was Laxman's control and range of strokes which left the field beaten repeatedly that Warne once let go a bouncer. To the Australian's despair, Laxman pulled it with complete authority.

``I have always loved batting at number three. My favourite, and my lucky position. I was really thrilled when I was asked to bat at number three'' said a beaming Laxman. It was a team decision to push him in the batting order and the genial Laxman did not fail his mates. Even before he had taken off his pads, he was informed he had a new role to play at number three.

It was a flawless performance by Laxman. He was beaten a mere two times in trying to drive and faced one leg-before appeal. The crowd turned it down with one big roar. The fans could not bear seeing their hero get two bad decisions in one day.

The humble Laxman made it a point to mention the source of his motivation - his statemate and badminton star P. Gopi Chand. ``His hard work and his achievement shall remain an inspiration. I have known him personally and I was very happy for him'' said Laxman, underplaying his brilliant performance at a very critical period for Indian cricket.

The Australians play the game the hard way and are known to be very professional, rarely sparing a smile for the opponent. But they were different today. Each Aussie applauded Laxman on the way back and one individual, Michael Slater, fielding at the far end, sprinted to pat the affable character before he crossed the rope. Should one add that Laxman was mobbed by his mates in the dressing room. ``I hope to carry on'' he let out a warning.

A pleasing thought for the team management to go to sleep with. Laxman at the crease is a ray of hope for this beleaguered team.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA -1st innings: 445


INDIA - 1st innings:

S. S. Das c Gilchrist b McGrath                      20
(89m, 48b, 3x4)
S. Ramesh c Ponting b Gillespie                       0
(7m, 3b)
R. Dravid b Warne                                    25
(129m, 83b, 4x4)
S. Tendulkar lbw b McGrath                           10
(25m, 17b, 2x4)
S. Ganguly c S. Waugh b Kasprowicz                   23
(60m, 50b, 4x4)
V.V.S. Laxman c Hayden b Warne                       59
(112m, 84b, 12x4)
N. Mongia c Gilchrist b Kasprowicz                    2
(7m, 4b)
Harbhajan Singh c Ponting
b Gillespie                                           4
(17m, 16b, 1x4)
Zaheer Khan b McGrath                                 3
(23m, 19b)
V. Raju lbw b McGrath                                 4
(16m, 15b)
V. Prasad (not out)                                   7
(41m, 23b)
Extras (lb-2, nb-12)                                 14

                                                    ---
Total                                               171
                                                    ---

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ramesh), 2-34 (Das), 3-48 (Tendulkar), 4-88 
(Dravid), 5-88 (Ganguly), 6-92 (Mongia), 7-97 (Harbhajan),  8-113 
(Zaheer), 9-129 (Raju).

Australia  bowling:  McGrath  14-8-18-4,  Gillespie  11-0-  47-2, 
Kasprowicz 13-2-39-2, Warne 20.1-3-65-2.

INDIA - 2nd innings:

S. S. Das (hit wkt) b Gillespie                    39
(124m, 98b, 7x4)
S. Ramesh c M. Waugh b Warne                       30
(65m, 42b, 6x4) 
V.V.S. Laxman (batting)                           109
(248m, 186b, 19x4)
S. Tendulkar c Gilchrist b Gillespie               10
(26m, 23b, 2x4)
S. Ganguly c Gilchrist b McGrath                   48
(127m, 78b, 8x4)
R. Dravid (batting)                                 7
(27m, 33b, 1x4)
Extras (lb-3, nb-6, w-2)                           11

                                                  --- 

Total (for four wkts.)                            254
                                                  ---

Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Ramesh), 2-97 (Das), 3-115 (Tendulkar), 4-
232 (Ganguly).

Australia bowling: McGrath 18-7-43-1, Gillespie 17-4- 62-2, Warne 
20-2-87-1, M. Waugh 8-1-25-0, Kasprowicz 12-5-34-0.

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