I was suppose to write this blog with the same title on 7th Aug’10. This blog is all about VVS Laxman and his knock of unbeaten 73 against Aussies?in the 1st Test at Mohali on 5th Oct’10. I mentioned 7th August because just?couple of months back, VVS Laxman played a gem of a knock against Lankans on the final day at Colombo. With 258 to chase on the last day at colombo, “Team India” was struggling at 62/4?when Laxman took the crease alongside the Master Blaster i.e Sachin Tendulkar. Laxman’s 103 of 149 balls took India to a famous victory at Colombo. When God of Cricket was out with INDIA needing around 87 runs to win there were few anxious moments across the dressing room and around whole of INDIA, but Laxman along with Raina made the difficult task look very simple and took INDIA to a famous win.
Next test after that was against Aussies, were VVS repeated the same feat. I am highlighting that innings of Laxman in my Blog. This time task was more difficult than it was against the Lankans at Colombo. Firstly, opponents were the Aussies who ruled the World of Test Cricket for around a decade, till ?TEAM INDIA? took it away from them on Dec 2009, secondly VVS was not 100% fit in this Test Match (he batted at No 10 in the 1st?innings courtesy his fitness issues), So this innings of 73 holds a special place in my heart.
Needing 216 to win in the 4th?innings, ?TEAM INDIA? lost Sehwag, Dravid, Gambhir and Raina and were struggling at 55/4 at the end of Day 4. However whole of India was optimistic about the win as great Sachin. Tendulkar was still on crease. Day 5 did not begin well for India as the night watchman Zaheer Khan was relieved of his duty pretty quickly by Haurtiz. With 140 needed to win and 5 wickets in hand, Injured Laxman came in to bat along with a runner.
With Sachin looking solid as ever on other end and VVS also looking in good touch things were once again settling down for INDIA, till a disaster struck in. Sachin Tendulkar tried to cut Bolinger over Gully, but was not able to keep the ball down and gave a simple catch to Mike Hussey. With Sachin back in the hut for 38, the victory was looking more and more difficult. When MS Dhoni and Harbhajan got out in quick succession, the end was near for ?TEAM INDIA?. With INDIA struggling at 124/8 and needing 92 to win and only 2 wickets remaining, even the most optimistic supporter would have lost hope. I turned off the television in anger for some time.
But as a True Indian supporter I put on the television again in next 5 minutes. Ishant and VVS slowly but surely started to build partnership. In between VVS was continuing to show his exhibition of Very Very Special shots. Ishant was looking impeccable in defense at other hand. Slowly partnership reached 50 and once again my mind started entertaining thoughts of an unlikely Indian victory. With Partnership reaching 80 runs, unlikely victory was looking a certainty. VVS was looking like an injured army officer trying to win the war with his remaining few soldiers.
Unfortunately with just 11 needed to win, Ishant lost his wicket courtesy IAN GOULD?s bad decision and again match got evenly poised. As pragyan Ozha took the crease I was just praying while watching each and every ball. But VVS was as calm as ever and took India to victory which will be rated as one of the best in the History of INDIAN cricket. Interestingly last 6 runs comprised of 4 overthrows and 2 leg byes and that too with Pragyan on strike. It meant that even GODS were supporting INDIA and a true fighter named VVS Laxman.
When it comes to Indian Cricket it is about SACHIN TENDULKAR. I agree that Sachin is the GOD of cricket. But even the GOD would have been proud of this innings by VVS Laxman. Over the years Laxman has proved his mettle especially against the Aussies but still he is the LAXMAN where as SACHIN is Lord Shree.Ram when we talk in RAMANYANA terms. But on 5th?of OCT 2010, LAXMAN truly took on the role of Shree.Ram.