Is VVS Laxman a better player than Goddy under pressure?

[Guest BossBhai]

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[yoda]

It is hard to quantify some of these. You either need to come up with a satisfactory criteria and then do real numbers or just go with what people feel based on what they have seen. Some of the criteria here could be: 1. Tough pitch to play on - how do you quantify that? may be by total team score < xxx (250, 300, 325?) 2. Top scorer for the team 3. Helps team win - let's face it, if you scored a 70, even if you top scored and the team needed another 30 for a win, it does not carry as much weight as say you scored a 60 and got the team over the hump. 4. Quality of opponent - kind if covered by #1, then again may be may be not

[vvvslaxman]

It is hard to quantify some of these.

Exactly. It depends on lot of factors. Conditions. Forms of other batsmen at that time. Crucial nature of the test. Laxman's all 3 brilliant innings this years were crucial. One of the reason why India is still ranked no.1.

[Guest BossBhai]

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[vvvslaxman]

As were 111*, 214, 53*, 203, 98, 100, 106 etc etc etc etc .... I mean how can anyone with even a iota of common sense claim with a straight face that nearly 75% of his runs were compiled when there was no pressure .. especially keeping in mind how crap we were as a team for best part of the last 2 decades ?

Laxman situation was gazillion times more pressure cooker situation. For instance in this same test It was very very vital for India to take a sizable lead. But for laxman's innings India would have been 0-2 down facing a possible white wash at Newlands. Sachin was exactly in the same position when India toured last time. India took first innings lead. It was identical to Indian conditions. Sachin was poking and prodding against debutant Paul Harris and eventually getting out to him and India missed a golden opportunity to win a series in SA. It is about rising to the occasion. He had opportunities even in Zimbabwe. But he just couldn't finish the job. That doesn't make him any less of a batsman. But when there is a situation India is 100 for 7 with 100 runs more required for win,, i would take Laxman every time.

[Dhondy]

I voted for Laxman. Three back to back 2nd innings knocks- three victories for India. It's quite clear who wears the trousers in team India. If we are talking stats, let's not forget how Laxman was forced to open in 16 Tests, spanning 25 innings during India's lean years- something Tendulkar never volunteered for. In his customary middle order slots (positions 3-7), Laxman has scored>7000 runs @ 50.84- world class by any standards.

[ludhianvi]

Janta Janardhan :giggle:

[Guest BossBhai]

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[Manny_Pacquiao]

tendulkar. the guy is about as clutch as they come. think about all the innings he played throughout his career when the rest of the batting lineup collapsed in a heap. india was a 1 man batting lineup for a significant amount of time, and his wicket would be the only one worth a celebration.

[kabira]

Another stupid thread comparing two greats...LOL When Laxman scored that ton in Lanka, SAchin was there and both played out difficult part together... When Laxman played that blinder against Aussies, Tendulkar was there with him for some time... Its rubbish really to talk about pressure situation. But Laxman has a knack of playing blinder lately in 3rd or 4th innings... So good thing is we have 1st innings specialists in Sehwag, Tendulkar and 2nd innings Specialist in Laxman followed closely by Sachin these days..

[vvvslaxman]

Another stupid thread comparing two greats...LOL When Laxman scored that ton in Lanka, SAchin was there and both played out difficult part together... When Laxman played that blinder against Aussies, Tendulkar was there with him for some time... Its rubbish really to talk about pressure situation. But Laxman has a knack of playing blinder lately in 3rd or 4th innings... So good thing is we have 1st innings specialists in Sehwag, Tendulkar and 2nd innings Specialist in Laxman followed closely by Sachin these days..

Dravid is not specialist in any innings these days :cantstop: . Actually on true pitches Gauti is an outstanding 4th innings contributor.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

there is no such thing as a 1st,2nd, 3rd or 4th innings specialist. stop being ridiculous everyone in that top 6 is a quality batsman and can make a difference at any stage of the game. they have all scored in all 4 innings at numerous times in their careers.

[Guest BossBhai]

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[kabira]

Dravid is not specialist in any innings these days :cantstop: . Actually on true pitches Gauti is an outstanding 4th innings contributor.

Dravid was suppose to be in good form. But lately has been struggling outside India.. This will be his last test in SA...so its time he makes it count..I suppose even last test for Sachin and Laxman in SA.. I am waiting for Dravid special

[Malcolm Merlyn]

I voted for Laxman. Three back to back 2nd innings knocks- three victories for India. It's quite clear who wears the trousers in team India. If we are talking stats, let's not forget how Laxman was forced to open in 16 Tests, spanning 25 innings during India's lean years- something Tendulkar never volunteered for. In his customary middle order slots (positions 3-7), Laxman has scored>7000 runs @ 50.84- world class by any standards.

DOC

[atul]

In Ramayana katha , Hanuman brought Sanjivani to save the life of Laxman , and VVS is the Sanjivani of team India this year. In early age the Laxman want to become Doctor , Yeah country lost Doctor but Team India got ambulance, Doctor and Physiotherapist. When Indian batting become unconscious Laxman act like Ambulance and bring the batting to Doctor Laxman then Doctor Laxman Stand up Indian batting on feet and Physiotherapist Laxman make Indian bating on normal track.

[Raghav_12]

It is really stupid to bring out threads like these comparing two indian batting greats and discussing which one is better. Both have contributed immensely towards India's attainment of no. 1 ranking and holding on to that. Outcome of such polls will always be highly influenced by timing of poll. Today Laxman played gem of an innings under pressure to win India a very crucial test match so of course people will tend to vote for him (as I also did). If we had this poll condcuted soon after 50th hundred of Sachin, numbers would have been different. In context of this discussion I would say that if situation is 80/5 then I would go for Laxman becuase of his ability to play better with tail and his ability of remaining relatively un-affected from the pressure situation around. But if I have to pick one batsman only while going for a fresh test match, I'll always pick Sachin over anybody else in the world. Two test-matches of last India-Australia series put things in perspective. Laxman won us Mohali test while Sachin won Bangalore. People will never forget Laxman's innings and Sachin's double century will always remain less memorable. However impact of both innings was a test win for India. Both of these were pressure situations. In Laxman's case we would have conceded an unassilable lead to Australia had he not played that innings. In Sachin's case, we were batting after Australia had put up a mammoth total of 475. But Sachin's effort's we would have lost the lead that Laxman had earned in first test. How that was not a pressure situation?

[Dhondy]

I give you half a dozen just this year :winky: 111* 214 + 53* ( Did I tell you I was there when it unfolded :--D ) 98 203 100 106 (I am not going to list the BD inng - as people get bent out of shape at the mere mention of a minnow as though they arew all charity matches - where he saved your beloved players bacon after the petulant remark that BD were a ordinary team ... but for Boss we would have been owned in a Test match and you would have never heard the end of it) yes it makes sooo much sense to ask your best batsman (and the only one mind you ) to go open the inngs. But anyhow do ODI inngs as opener count or the cricket ball doesnt move as much the moment it sees people in funny colored clothing ? )

Good evening Boss. Evening Sunny. Did those Tendulkar knocks single handedly change the course of the match from a losing position, as Laxman's did? Can't think of an Indian cricketer who's done 3/3 like that, to be honest. Don't fudge, please. You know what I mean. Quoting knocks like 111* from the last Test weakens your argument. Defeat was inevitable, and nothing was at stake apart from the 50th and his average. Noticed he made absolutely no effort to fight on on the final day, electing to protect his wicket instead, waiting for the tailenders to be dismissed so he could remain not out. Tendulkar may be the greatest batsman ever, but if the match was on the line going down to the wire, I'd want Laxman in my corner. Every time.

[Malcolm Merlyn]

Good evening Boss. Evening Sunny. Did those Tendulkar knocks single handedly change the course of the match from a losing position, as Laxman's did? Can't think of an Indian cricketer who's done 3/3 like that, to be honest. Don't fudge, please. You know what I mean. Quoting knocks like 111* from the last Test weakens your argument. Defeat was inevitable, and nothing was at stake apart from the 50th and his average. Noticed he made absolutely no effort to fight on on the final day, electing to protect his wicket instead, waiting for the tailenders to be dismissed so he could remain not out. Tendulkar may be the greatest batsman ever, but if the match was on the line going down to the wire, I'd want Laxman in my corner. Every time.

Evening DOC......you are never away after India has won a Test Match..........welcome back.

[goose]

Laxman delivers a match winning innings and you question Tendulkar's credentials under pressure. Nothing more needs to be said.