The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘I have enjoyed playing against Australia’

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‘I have enjoyed playing against Australia’

G. Viswanath

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

EXCITING PROSPECTS: Laxman feels a good batsman can be successful in any format.

Mumbai: Just 10 Tests short of joining the 100-Test club that has some great Indians in Sachin Tendulkar (146), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Anil Kumble (125), Rahul Dravid (119), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (103), V.V.S. Laxman recently withdrew from the icon status in order to assist the Deccan Chronicle-owned Hyderabad IPL team to successfully bid for some special cricketers into its squad. “It’s a great opportunity to lead a side that has many match-winners. I have enjoyed playing against Australia right from my under-19 days,” Laxman said in an interview to The Hindu.

Sachin Tendulkar talking about Laxman said, “he is a terrific player not only against and in Australia but also he’s generally done well playing important innings all over the world.

“The kind of technique he has enables him to use the pace of the ball. He has got brilliant wristwork, that’s a special gift.”

Excerpts:

You had another highly successful tour. What’s it so special about Australia and Laxman?

I have always enjoyed playing against Australia right from my under-19 days. Till date, I have performed consistently against them and more importantly played some match-winning knocks in some difficult situations.

You have scored against top Australian bowlers and it ought to have given you great satisfaction?

Australia has always had a great bowling attack that could be lethal in any condition and when you get runs consistently against such quality bowlers and that to not only in India, but in Australia as well, it gives you immense satisfaction.

You, Sachin, Rahul and Sourav have been the batting phalanx for over a decade now. It must have been a terrific experience batting with them. Has their batting style in anyway made a difference to your approach in the middle?

It’s indeed a great experience playing alongside these match-winners. We all have different styles of batting and I have never tried to change my style.

You have played 90 Tests, another 10 and you would join the 100 club? With a hectic schedule this year, you should be there?

It would be a great honour to play 100 Tests for your country, but at the moment I am totally focussed on the South Africa Test series.

As IPL captain of the Hyderabad you must be looking forward to lead a star-studded team. You have a job in hand to pick a team with the constraints of four overseas players in the XI?

I am very excited about the opportunity to lead a side with so many match-winners and proven performers. We have a very balanced side. We have eight overseas players and the rule allows only four in the XI. We will pick the guys depending on the conditions we confront, but saying that, it would be very disappointing to leave four of them in each match.

Would you say that it’s up to the Indian juniors in the squad to improve their cricket by watching the internationals and sharing the dressing room for at least 14 matches?

I think it’s a great opportunity for the Indian juniors to make the best use of the exposure they will get. They will not only play alongside some great cricketers, but also if they perform it would be noticed as this is going to be watched by lots of people all over the world.

Are you excited about the T20 format?

I am definitely very excited. I really loved watching the ICC World T20 and there is no doubt IPL would be a great hit.

It’s said a good batsman will be successful in any form of cricket, including T20?

I think a good batsman can be successful in any format, but it depends how well he adapts to the new challenge mentally.

Seven home matches should make Hyderabad come alive in April-May?

Absolutely. It’s going to be electrifying and people in Hyderabad are already talking about it and looking forward to it.

Twenty20…is it a good development? Did you ever imagine cricket would evolve this way — from the traditional Test to one-day to 20-over thrash?

Personally, I feel that all forms of the game have got their own charm. But T20 for me is a great entertainment for the spectators. It’s just three hours and they will see some electrifying cricket in this short span of time.

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