The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : An exciting chapter in my career, says Laxman

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

An exciting chapter in my career, says Laxman

V.V. Subrahmanyam

FILE Photo

V.V.S. Laxman. —

HYDERABAD: For V.V.S. Laxman, captain of Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League, the biggest challenge will be to ensure a good bonding among his players.

“Fortunately, I have a personal rapport with all the players and keep interacting with them. It should be comparatively easier for me to handle any situation on the field,” Laxman said while speaking to The Hindu ahead of the team’s first game against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on April 20.

He was pleased with the way the big guns had been interacting with the youngsters. “The process of gelling has been going on for the last three days. We would have wished for a 10-day camp before the event but because of international commitments, it was not possible. Coach Robin has done his homework and is armed with all relevant inputs to ensure that the team clicks as a unit,” he said.

“Definitely, more money means more expectations. It is no different with the foreign recruits in the team as we always feel the pressure when we play in the English county set-up,” Laxman added.

Laxman preferred to look ahead and leave the past behind, particularly the recent controversies surrounding Andrew Symonds on India’s tour down under. “What is important is the immediate future. Every player is focused on the IPL and nothing else right now,” he said.

Golden opportunity

About the rule that only four foreign players are allowed in the playing XI, Laxman doesn’t think it is a handicap. “The other way round, it provides huge opportunities for the domestic players to rub shoulders with some of the best. No doubt, selection will be a little difficult as all the foreign players are classy ones,” he said.

Asked where he would be batting in such a star-studded line-up, Laxman merely said that there would be a lot of flexibility and that he had not decided on the batting slot.

Team effort

“This is an event where useful contributions from all the eleven players can have a huge impact on the end result. We need not look for an individual to come up with a big knock or a five-wicket haul,” he said.

“The IPL is a new, exciting chapter in my career. It is great to be part of the first edition and there would be no better feeling if we win the championship, which I feel we are capable of,” Laxman said.

“It is always great to have Robin as a coach for he is a no-nonsense person and is always looking to get the best from the players,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi and Herschelle Gibbs are expected to join the squad after the first match.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport