Laxman keen to help India regain top spot

[Karan114]

Laxman keen to help India regain top spot Cricketnext.com Posted on Nov 03, 2011 at 01:29pm IST Hyderabad: Indian Test batsman VVS Laxman is desperate to help India regain their No 1 Test title, and has targeted the West Indies series starting November 6 as well as the tour of Australia later this year. India traveled to England this summer as the top Test side, but a 0-4 hammering saw then slip to third in the ICC's rankings for Test teams, behind England and South Africa. "It is going to be an important series against the West Indies, especially after the dismal time we had in England. We want to come back strongly and regain the top position. We had worked hard during the last three to four years to get there," Laxman told the Times of India. "No one expected us to perform in that manner in England. It was a disappointing show. But we have done our introspection and have looked at the failures and will rectify those in the coming series. While West Indies are no longer a dominant team, Laxman said they cannot be discounted completely. "I don't believe in underestimating the opposition - no matter who they are. At the same time I don't think too much of the opposition too. I believe in playing to my potential and doing my best out in the field. I think if we get our batting right then I'm sure we will start the season with a win." Beyond the three-Test series, Laxman had the bigger picture in mind. "I always enjoyed touring Australia and I have always performed quite well. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to perform in tough conditions like Australia and against a quality bowling attack." In Tests, Laxman averages 55.58 against Australia and 54.05 in Australia. India regained some pride with a 5-0 ODI drubbing of England at home recently, an achievement which left Laxman very happy. "It was great to see the one-day team respond so splendidly against England at home by whitewashing them. Hopefully, the Test team too will start off the season on a winning note so that we will be high on confidence before leaving for Australia," he said. Laxman was full of praise for the younger generation who helped India whitewash England in the home ODIs. "The performance of youngsters like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav is a great sign for the Indian team," he said. "It is nice to see the youngsters helping the side win in the absence of the senior players. It is always a good feeling when there is solid bench strength. I'm sure Indian cricket will benefit immensely over the coming years." http://cricketnext.in.com/news/laxman-keen-to-help-india-regain-top-spot/61246-13.html

[Rightarmfast]

Great interview. What I respect about our Indian players is, they never talk cheap about opposition and give them respect. Perhaps the English can learn a few things from such legends of the game. Go Laxman, Go !

[vayuu1]

He should stop making those surprised expressions when he gets out,it really annoys me.

[fineleg]

He should stop making those surprised expressions when he gets out' date='it really annoys me.[/quote'] LOL :winky: Thats his trademark, haha. But what a super player. Crunch performances. Salute :isalute:

[Dravid_TheWall]

He can't play swing well but when it comes to bounce, he is one of the best in the world. That is why he will be important in Aus regardless of his excellent record versus them. He looks so reassured in test cricket when facing short pacy deliveries.

[kubrickian]

^^Most batsmen struggle when the ball swings around and its tougher especially in conditions like England with cloud cover and with their potent bowling attack. But he did make 90 odd and helped India win the only test in the South Africa series with the likes of Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe, Kallis at Durban. Pretty much everyone else failed.

[Blue Panther]

He should retire to give chances to yougsters, His reflexes have slowed down considerably.

[WC2011INDIA]

I think VVS will retire after the Australia series.

[Dravid_TheWall]

^^Most batsmen struggle when the ball swings around and its tougher especially in conditions like England with cloud cover and with their potent bowling attack. But he did make 90 odd and helped India win the only test in the South Africa series with the likes of Steyn' date=' Morkel, Tsotsobe, Kallis at Durban. Pretty much everyone else failed.[/quote'] But VVS struggles more IMO.

[vamos_rafa]

But VVS struggles more IMO.

That's because of the hang bat technique that he posseses. He prefers staying on the back-foot and hangs his bat to deliveries swinging away and that lends him in a soup.

[MarkBenson]

Definitely VVS Laxman is wonderful test cricket batsman in Indian team.This man is always there when India him.He is playing with wonderful mindset to stay long time on pitch.When other batsman are struggling you can see only one man on pitch with cool attitude and that's only Laxman.

[Chandan]

Laxman is certainly doing his bits by scoring big and taking those agile catches in slips along with Dravid.

[pensionplan]

Laxman is certainly doing his bits by scoring big and taking those agile catches in slips along with Dravid.

What is remearkable is despite having a back niggle for a while now he exactly seems to know how to manage it and play through it which is a testament to his will power to carry on for however long he can by staying fit to the best of what his body permits. That is all you can ask from a professional sportsman. It is great to see after batting for more than a day at the Eden he stayed on the field for the two West Indian innings fielding close in for most part and even picking up a great diving catch low to his left and thoroughly deserving his Man of the Match award. Hope he finishes on a high in the Mumbai Test and be ready for the Australian tour.