I pity VVS Laxman. Not long ago, VVS meant very, very special. Right now, I feel the stylish Hyderabad batsman is anything but special as far as Indian cricket is concerned.
For long, I have been fascinated by Laxman’s style of batting. I remember, when I was in school and Mohd Azharuddin got into the team in such a forceful manner in 1985, banging three Test tons in a row, it was sheer joy.
And when from the same city, VVS emerged as a class act, I knew he had the style, substance, and stamina to battle the best of the quickies in the world. VVS came across to me as someone very level-headed but never got his due.
People have been talking for years, how he is not good for the ODIs because he is not a natural fielder and so on. All that is bunkum. It is not as if we have a Jonty Rhodes in every Indian who fields.
So when VVS was dropped for two successive World Cups, I was even more annoyed. When the Test team for Bangladesh was announced, I felt happy VVS was back. But what has Rahul Dravid done to boost his ego/confidence? Nothing.
I get this feeling VVS was better off in the ‘scheme’ of things when Dada was the captain. I am sure, when the team for England is chosen, they will look at the performances in Bangladesh. A certain Virender Sehwag, yes the same Najafgarh nawaab who scored a triple hundred and then a double ton against Pakistan has been finished in Test cricket.
I can see the writing on the wall. Not just Messrs Dravid and company, even the state selector Venkatapathy Raju does not seem to be speaking up for VVS. As for Dravid, he says: "Laxman has been picked as a middle order batsman. We felt that on this tour especially in these conditions we are very keen on playing five bowlers. So he is fighting for one of three slots in the middle order. Between myself, Sachin, Sourav, Yuvraj and Laxman, we are fighting for three spots.”
What fight are you talking of Mr Dravid? Have you guys not dug the grave for Laxman? I am sure the epitaph will also be written soon.
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2 comments:
Dr Kannan,
I don't have much of a view on this, bcoz I haven't seen much of cricket. But I still feel that VVS has been done in by his lack of PR. There are many players with lesser talent than VVS who are still there in the squad because of their "survival instinct". I feel that Hyderabadis, known for their "Mehman-nawazi", shouldn't flounder on the PR front, but unfortunately, when god was distributing this trait, VVS was probably sleeping like 'Kumbhkaran'. VVS has shot himself in the foot by always portraying himself as a 'bechara'. Nowadays, they don't take mercy for anyone, especially when a slot in the team means million-dollar deals.
Laxman is well and truly out of the race, done in by the Dravids and the Tendulkars.
Image sells and VVS did not have one, nor he tried to cultivate it.
VVS --- "Very, Very Sedate" I'd say.
Kanan Sir,
I admit that VVS has been wronged and I like the way Ajai Bhai puts. Are we not aware of the fact that sponsors and the agents influence the selection process?
Unfortunately, Laxman stands way back in the line when it comes to influencing the selectors, at least on that front.
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