Laxman, play it big, really big

By John Cheeran
Great men choose the stage when they have to come good.
When rest of the world fails, VVS Laxman steps in to perform.
VVS’s unbeaten and unhurried innings of 71 on the first day of the Ahmedabad Test against Sri Lanka was no different.
Laxman is someone who has been genetically programmed to hit peak from when chips are down.
In the context of this Test, Laxman’s unfinished innings of 71 compiled off 194 balls, acquires more sheen than many other Test centuries that Indian batsmen have piled up in recent times.
Straightaway I can see this one is much better than Sourav Ganguly’s century in Bulawayo. And better than many similar survival acts.
A calming presence as Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif became part of a procession, Laxman ensured that he stayed away from the madness at the other end. From 97 for five, India has recovered to 247 for six mainly thanks to Laxman’s willingness and determination to stay at the wicket. A natural stroke player, Laxman today was forced to eschew the flamboyant shots from his innings.
Except for a bat and pad shout he survived, Laxman played a convincing innings.
He used his soft hands against spinners to good effect and now Team India needs a big, really big innings from Laxman.
Batting on this slow and low wicket would test the patience of any batsman and a little more positive approach from Laxman is likely to yield better results.
In the New Delhi Test, VVS was set for a big score in the first innings but Muttaiah Muralitharan’s doosra curtailed that effort.
There has never been any question marks about Laxman’s class as a batsman since his defining innings of 287 against Australians in Calcutta.
His biggest drawback in international cricket has been lack of consistency. May be Laxman is not getting enough kick to get going when he sees other batsmen get going.
But VVS should remember that a touch of consistency will not do any harm for his longevity in the Team India.
Go for it Laxman.