‘South Africa test series as important as WC’ : VVS Laxman

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More... ‘South Africa as important as WC’ Nihal Koshie Fri Dec 10 2010, VVS Laxman, India’s crisis-man, just spent 10 days at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, strengthening his back that ran on pain-killers and injections during two of his match-winning knocks this year; 103 in Colombo and an 73 at Mohali against Australia. Hours before boarding a flight to South Africa, where India have won just one Test, Laxman spoke to The Indian Express about how this No.1 side has the desire and determination to win its maiden series in South Africa. Excerpts. What was the idea behind leaving for South Africa in batches?. It is great that the board was open to the idea and gave those not involved in the one-day series a chance to head to South Africa in advance. The conditions there are totally different as the wickets are fast and bouncy. Going early, especially as we don’t have a warm-up game, will help us prepare well and provide an ideal chance to practice on those wickets. Why has playing against South Africa in South Africa remained a tough challenge for India? For any team, irrespective of how good they are, playing in South Africa will be challenging. South African sides, over the years, have always played tough cricket and when they play in their own backyard they are even tougher. But we carry a lot of pride in doing well on the way to becoming the best side in the world and after attaining the No.1 ranking. The India-South Africa rivalry is a young one, but it has become highly competitive over the years. The rivalry will depend on how well both the teams play. In 2007, when we last visited South Africa, we won one Test there but couldn’t go on and win the series. Our side has the potential to win the series. What troubles a batsman the most in South Africa? When you play international cricket your mindset has to be one that is ready to change according to the opposition and the conditions. In South Africa, it is the extra bounce and the pace of the wickets which can prove to be a bit unsettling. But if you get used to it, half the battle is won. For a new-comer, who is playing for the first time in South Africa, the key is to enjoy the conditions and the challenge. Will coach Gary Kirsten’s in-depth knowledge of South Africa be the key factor? Yes, in South Africa he is bound to be a big factor as he knows the conditions and everything else and has played there since he was a little boy. He knows what it takes for a team to win in South Africa better than any of us. Since he took over, Gary has played an important role in each and every match that we have won. He has created a very relaxed environment in the dressing room. How important is this series for India? This tour of South Africa is as important as the World Cup. Always, whether we go to South Africa or Australia, we want to do really well. Our record in South Africa doesn’t suggest that we have done well. But we are looking to change that. How challenging has it been to play with a troublesome back? It has been difficult because you want to be 100 per cent fit before very game. It was unfortunate that both during the Sri Lanka and the Australia series, my back gave me trouble. But I have been working hard at the NCA and am sure my back will hold up this time.

[Jersey #10]

Clueless and Wrong! There is nothing more important than the world cup for Indian cricket and vast majority of fans. Now, the tests may be very important for Laxman as he is not going to play the WC aaj kal log kuch bhi bolte hei

[pensionplan]

Clueless and Wrong! aaj kal log kuch bhi bolte he

Yes as you to seem to be and say things about VVS Laxman on this ICF forum at various times.

[Zap_Brannigan]

Clueless and Wrong! There is nothing more important than the world cup for Indian cricket and vast majority of fans. Now, the tests may be very important for Laxman as he is not going to play the WC aaj kal log kuch bhi bolte hei

Laxman and Dravid will not be in the side for the WC, so for them, this the the biggest challenge. A country where we hardly win. A country with the reputation of having the fastest pitches and fastest bowlers. Add to that SA is the next best team. Winning in SA, will make so many myths, like Indians can't play fast bowling, Indians cannot win outside India etc., rest forever. These guys esp, Laxman, Dravid and Sachin deserve it before they retire.

[putrevus]

VVS Laxman is right , we need to beat SA in SA to dispel so many critics about Indian cricket going forward and it is very important for the team to achieve this land mark win.

[EnterTheVoid]

Clueless and Wrong! There is nothing more important than the world cup for Indian cricket and vast majority of fans. Now, the tests may be very important for Laxman as he is not going to play the WC aaj kal log kuch bhi bolte hei

I'd take victory over SA in SA than the world cup.

[hari504504]

I'd take victory over SA in SA than the world cup.

yeah Test ranking 1 for 3 years in exchange for WC is fine by me (a semi final loss that is.. else effigies will burn bright against the night sky:--D)...

[Sachin=GOD]

I need BOTH (victory in SA and World Cup) :--D

[Holysmoke]

Ghanta. WC is ultimate.. nothing.. absolutely nothing comes close.

[hari504504]

Ghanta. WC is ultimate.. nothing.. absolutely nothing comes close.

you mean you wouldn't mind us being the 50-over version of erstwhile T20 WC champions pakistan ?...T20 champs.... crap in everything else

[Sachin=GOD]

you mean you wouldn't mind us being the 50-over version of erstwhile T20 WC champions pakistan ?...T20 champs.... crap in everything else

if we loose the SA series, it would'nt make us crap in Test cricket. We have been playing well in tests for the last 2 years and one bad series (however important it might be) does not make a team crap while a World Cup like the one we had in 2007 stays with the team for years to come.

[Holysmoke]

you mean you wouldn't mind us being the 50-over version of erstwhile T20 WC champions pakistan ?...T20 champs.... crap in everything else

Mr Nightwatchman. England are the current T20 champs. And just coz Pakistan are crap in everything, doesnt mean we are or will be. What kind of a dumb argument is that dude? 50 over version of T20 champs? Are you alright?

[hari504504]

Mr Nightwatchman. England are the current T20 champs. And just coz Pakistan are crap in everything, doesnt mean we are or will be. What kind of a dumb argument is that dude? 50 over version of T20 champs? Are you alright?

it was a rhetorical question..relax man.. Btw..Erstwhile ="past tense" I was simply asking if such a tradeoff would be ok for us.. not arguing or anything.

[Holysmoke]

it was a rhetorical question..relax man.. Btw..Erstwhile ="past tense" I was simply asking if such a tradeoff would be ok for us.. not arguing or anything.

what tradeoff??:hmmmm2:

[The Outsider]

what tradeoff??:hmmmm2:

Dude, he is asking if the hypothetical situation of us being WC champions and at the same time being a sh!thouse in test matches is an acceptable situation for you.

[hari504504]

what tradeoff??:hmmmm2:

suppose we win the worldcup..but slide down the test rankings ..? I understand that this is not a necessity..not implying that.. just a question on what is more important..( ofcourse the ideal scenario is 'win all' )...

[hari504504]

Dude' date=' he is asking if the hypothetical situation of us being WC champions and at the same time being a sh!thouse in test matches is an acceptable situation for you.[/quote'] bingo. only because you(holysmoke) implied WC is the real deal..and everything else is ...

[spectre]

Its important for Laxman, not for everyone For majority, including me, it will be WC, the biggest prize in cricket

[pensionplan]

I think for the hype surrounding the WC and the coverage and interest it gets because of that has to do more with the importance being given to the event than the best brand of cricket itself. Consider this. The 50 over format which the WC is based on is so unpopular as of now that the premier players pick and choose the matches they want to appear in. As an example the current Indian team players like SRT, VS and MSD give the ODI's a miss as they please. Even the selectors seem to rotate the players to have their best players for Tests and base everything around that. Goes on to show what is more important cricket wise. Once this WC is over and with the advent of 20-20 cricket there are doubts being raised that in a few years time if 50 overs format is even a viable option. But Test cricket will be around no matter what and a cricketers greatness will always be based off of how well they did in the real format of the game.

[pensionplan]

Its important for Laxman, not for everyone For majority, including me, it will be WC, the biggest prize in cricket

ok but VVS never said that SA Test series is more important than the WC. He clearly distinguished himself by saying the SA series is as important as the WC meaning that they are giving utmost importance to the SA tour as one would give it to a WC which begs this question to be asked. Should players representing India not treat each and every game they play as important irrespective of the stage or the importance an event is given. I still do not see what the big deal is here and in what VVS has said.