Dec 19, 2002 07:40 AM
3600 Views
(Updated Feb 19, 2003 07:56 AM)
If there ever was a case of a person resting on his laurels, then VVS Laxman would be a prime example. In his case India has a cricketer who not just rests on his laurels, he fairly sleeps on it..and shows absolutely nos signs of waking either. The epic 281 against Aus is being marred by most of his innings thereafter.
Its been a long time since Laxman has added value to the Indian cricket team in Test matches. Given the fact that he is a ordinary bowler and less than ordinary fielder, he really shouldn't be in the test team. I strongly believe that a cricketer should perform well outside home to be reckoned as a good cricketer. I know that Laxman has done so, but he has done so only on occasions..I really don't remember a single series outside India on fast and bouncy pitches where he has scored 3 or more fifties in a row. I know half of the Indian top order batsmen fail the above criteria. Since the topic is about Laxman, I will not comment about another player whose overseas record will put even Laxman to shame, Sourav Ganguly.
My conclusion is simple...drop Laxman, he is not good enough to be in this Indian team and after the last showing against New Zealand where he bagged a pair and India were hounded by the Kiwis I feel that he should be dropped from tests abroad. Since he has an excellent eye and leaden footwork which is more than enough for pitches where the ball doesnt go above knee high, I suppose he should play test matches for India in India...but outside India I give a thumbs down to VVS Laxman.
