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

[Holysmoke]

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' )...

If you win the world cup, you are known as the world champions for four years. #1 in tests matters, but not as much as a WC win. The world cup win is the ultimate prize in cricket. Do you know how high Ranatunga's team was ranked? What do you remember Clive Lloyd for? Do you realize how WC'03 changed Ponting's life? The world cup is without a doubt the ultimate prize in cricket. Most fans, cricketers and experts agree on that. Yes, we are going to slide down the rankings once our stalwarts retire. But you win a WC, and nobody can take that away from you.

[Holysmoke]

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.

In a fantasy world, yes. In the real world, it does not happen, and there is no big deal in that. The current team which won the 5th ODI against NZ would treat the game very very differently if it was a WC final. Yes, they are representing the country and all that.. but be realistic.

[Holysmoke]

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'] As compared to the team losing the WC but being brilliant in tests? Well, you cannot compare the two. At this point of time, if you ask me.. win against SA or win WC, without battering an eyelid I'd take WC. The joy a WC win brings cannot be matched by any other win in cricket. But the mistake you are making is comparing a situation where one series is won with a situation where the team is going to consistently win series after series. Compare a series to a series, and a ranking to a ranking. #1 in tests >>>>>>> #1 in ODI WC win >>>>>>>>>> any other win.

[putrevus]

why anyone thinks we will slide down the rankings once big three retire.

[ludhianvi]

A World Cup win unites the nation. But personally, I would be okay if India does not win either the WC or the SA Test series. I used to get really excited before every WC and the hype and anticipation was quite intense. This time it is not the same - probably with the amount of cricket being played these days. One series gets over and then the next one starts. I dont know what it is but it is not the same. The joy of victory is surely there but the fear or sorrow over defeat is not there anymore.

[Watson87]

Off course VVS will play the SAF series like the World Cup as he's not getting anywhere near the WCXI LOL.

[Laaloo]

They both are very important in my book. Although, I'd prefer a WC win over SAF series.

[The Outsider]

The World Cup is so passe - no one even seems to give a damn about the format in which the tournament is played in. Players regularly skip ODIs throughout the world, audience interest in the format is dwindling. England, South Africa, and Australia don't even play the format of the World Cup game in their domestic leagues. 5 different teams have won the World Cup, whereas only 2 have beaten South Africa at home in a test series. One's winner is going to be decided over 15 days of competition between the two best sides in the world, the others over 3 days of competitive cricket. As sporting contests go, the South Africa series is heads and shoulders above a World Cup triumph. Yeah, there used to be the bragging rights for being the World champions but with the interest in ODIs declining not sure how long that will last either, specially once the World Test Championship is introduced.

[kabira]

^come on. If we win series in SA, do you think we will get open bus parade?? and compare that to winning the world cup. the winning team will be attending all sorts of parades... :winky:

[fineleg]

A win in Test series in SA is miles ahead of a WC win in terms of importance and glory. In an ideal world, both. But if you have to take one, Test series in SA :hatsoff:

[maniac]

SA tour is to prove our supermacy in Tests,WC to prove our supermacy in ODI's.IPL is anyways more entertaining and competitive than boring T20 wc's that pop up every year where the real players are not that interested.So Laxman has a point.

[yoda]

They are all important and winning one doesn't mean losing in another, so don't see what's the big deal.

[Jersey #10]

There is nothing! NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING more important than the WORLD CUP! No one even cares about test matches anyways except for some cricket enthusiasts. Now a days sports are watched and played for "entertainment" and not technical 5 day long competition. Test cricket will eventually die off for being very boring.

[Jersey #10]

Laxman you are dumb! India for the WORLD CUP! Let's win it ps - WC tickets were sold out a year before the actual event. As far as test match tickets are concerned, you can go buy them while the game is going on. this eventually tells us how much interest the fans have in Test matches!

[wanted_desi]

It is harder than WC, but i would rather win the WC than a series against SA

[hari504504]

why anyone thinks we will slide down the rankings once big three retire.

Arguably we would've lost all both our recent home series if it were not for the big 3..

[pensionplan]

Laxman you are dumb!

VVS Laxman at the +2 level got 98% in the Biological Sciences stream and scored as one of the top students in the entire state. There was a medical seat available for him in a reputed Medical college but given his potential in cricket he decided to choose cricket over medical sciences after conferring with his doctor parents and maternal uncle who also happens to be his mentor. So with the kind of background he has and the academically meritorious student he is in comparison to any of his Indian team colleagues if that makes him dumb what does that make the rest of the Indian Team cricket players.

ps - WC tickets were sold out a year before the actual event. As far as test match tickets are concerned, you can go buy them while the game is going on. this eventually tells us how much interest the fans have in Test matches!

ok. Nice.

[Roshanrocks]

who is going to open the thread for the first test? :--D

[graphic23]

VVS Laxman at the +2 level got 98% in the Biological Sciences stream and scored as one of the top students in the entire state. There was a medical seat available for him in a reputed Medical college but given his potential in cricket he decided to choose cricket over medical sciences after conferring with his doctor parents and maternal uncle who also happens to be his mentor. So with the kind of background he has and the academically meritorious student he is in comparison to any of his Indian team colleagues if that makes him dumb what does that make the rest of the Indian Team cricket players. ok. Nice.

You're arguing with a guy who possibly faked high school diplomas to get into college for engineering. His math skills, if you may look at some of the previous threads (particularly one where he gets a test innings confused with a test match), are pitiful, and his intelligence is negligent. Now given this background, do you really want to debate this guy ?

[fineleg]

No one even cares about test matches anyways except for some cricket enthusiasts. Now a days sports are watched and played for "entertainment" and not technical 5 day long competition. Test cricket will eventually die off for being very boring.

oh please! Tell that to the players - they know the value of Tests.