Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

City’s cricketing greats hail Laxman

HYDERABAD: When V. V. S. Laxman walked to the crease for the first time in Test cricket in 1996, former India captain Mohd. Azharuddin was the non-striker. “All the best” were the welcome words from him. And, 12 years later, Azhar’s record of 99 Test appearances is all set to be eclipsed by Laxman. Well, Azhar hit a brilliant century against South Africa in his 99th Test and Laxman moved one step ahead to hit a double against the Aussies in New Delhi in his 99th. Interestingly, Azhar met Laxman before the Delhi Test and just told him to “keep playing well”.

Now, VVS is all set to reach the magical milestone of 100 Tests, the first Hyderabadi to do so. How does Azhar feel? “It is a fantastic achievement. The first time I heard him was when I was in England playing County cricket. Then, Laxman was playing for India under-19. I was really impressed with his class from the day I saw him for the first time,” he recalls in a chat with The Hindu on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I never thought Laxman will play 100 Tests given the rough treatment meted out to him,” insists Azhar. “I wish he plays many more Tests for he makes batting look so simple and takes the pressure off the other players,” were the rich compliments from a player with whom many compare Laxman.

“His strength is his all-round ability and to score runs at a very quick pace in Test and one-dayers. The scoreboard keeps moving and this is the sign of a great batsman and a true match-winner,” says Azhar.

For his part, former national selector S. L. Venkatapathi Raju recalls that ever since the first time he saw Laxman score 80-plus for HCA President’s XI vs Hyderabad Seniors in Moin-ud-Dowla at RRC, he knew that this boy would go places.

“He has class writ all over his batting and reminds me of Azhar in many aspects. Wish he scores many more centuries,” says Raju. “It is not easy to play 100 Tests when you get indifferent treatment consistently,” he remarked.

N. Shivlal Yadav, BCCI vice-president, says it was a fitting tribute to Laxman’s class that he played 100 Tests. “There was never a doubt about his ability to come up with big classy centuries. He is a great player to watch when in full flow. He has done Hyderabad proud,” he said.

Noel David, who was Laxman’s roommate in Ranji and the few one-dayers he played for India, recalls that the former was a very disciplined and very religious cricketer. “There was never an instance of him losing temper. A wonderful guy who deserved more than anyone else to play 100 Tests,” he remarked.

Coach Ashok Singh, who has a special relationship with Laxman since 1989-90 and who spent three days with the elegant batsman in the city before the batting great came up with that majestic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, asserts that the spark was always there from childhood. “The most impressive facet of his batting is the punch in the ‘V’ since his schooldays. It was an amazing sight then itself. It is a great feeling now to see him achieve this landmark,” says the delighted coach.

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