A very very special 2010

Team India ends 2010 as the undisputed kings of test cricket. They drew two series’, one against South Africa at home and the other against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka; they defeated Australia and New Zealand at home and to cap it all they won a test in one of the liveliest pitches in Durban to restore parity in the 3-test series against South Africa. It has been a phenomenal year and one man who has played the biggest hand in those achievements is the country’s unsung hero VVS Laxman.

For years Laxman has been India’s crisis man, standing tall against the deadliest bowling attacks in the world and rescuing the team whenever the chips are down, but unfortunately he never got his due. However, 2010 was the year when Laxman single-handedly scripted three of the most sensational Indian victories and registered himself as one of the greatest Indian batsman that the nation has ever produced. When it comes to legends of Indian cricket one talks about the quartet of Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. Without any doubts one man who has forced his way into that list is VVS Laxman.

The wristy right-hander lends stability to the team. Given the star-studded Indian batting line-up, Laxman, has to bat in the lower middle order and most of the times he’s left with tail-enders but this doesn’t bother the great man as he has redefined the art of batting with the tail. He’s a great reader of the game and the genius in him emanates whenever he walks to the middle with India in trouble. It’s fascinating to see Laxman build his innings. Unfazed by any bowling attack, Laxman never shows his nerves and goes about his business with a sense of calm. The most delightful thing about his batting is his ability to hit the same ball on both sides of the wicket, a talent that makes him unique in world cricket.

Thrice in 2010, Laxman came to bat with India in deep trouble but on all three occasions it was his sheer class that led India to unbelievable wins. First it was Colombo, when India chasing 257 were 62 for 4 when Laxman walked in to join Tendulkar on a turning 5^th day track. He outscored the master in a partnership of 109. With Tendulkar’s dismissal Sri Lanka could yet again sniff a chance but the determined Laxman had other ideas. He kept scoring at his usual free-flowing fashion and went on to score an unbeaten 103 that stole a win from jaws of defeat helping India square the series 1-1.

Laxman’s second knock of genius came against Australia in Mohali. India needed 216 to win but were 124 for 8 and Ben Hilfenhaus was in the middle of one of the best spells of his life. Australia had the game in their pocket but the gritty Laxman stood between the Kangaroos and victory. He knitted an 81-run partnership with Ishant Sharma and then with Pragyan Ojha he knocked off the 11 runs needed and thus scripted the best Indian win in a test match. He was 73 not out in the end. It was a fighting innings from Laxman as he not only fought a lethal bowling attack at a time when India had their backs to the wall but also beat the pain arising from a serious back problem. It was a brave knock that spoke volumes about the resolve and determination of the Hyderabadi.

The third outstanding knock for Laxman will be very fresh in everyone’s memory as it came in the last test of the year in Durban. It was a gutsy 96 in the second innings on a pitch where no one could even reach 40. His innings helped India set a challenging total and the bowlers did the rest.

Laxman does not have tens of thousands of runs like a Tendulkar or a Dravid but that should not undermine what he has achieved for the country. He could easily have got 10,000 runs or 30 centuries but the job he does at number 5 or 6 does not allow him to pile so many runs yet the role he plays of holding the lower middle order together is unmatched. His biggest forte is his strokeplay and the ability to keep the scoreboard ticking. It is a pity that such a strokemaker has got very few opportunities in one dayers and despite his sublime form missed out on the probables list for the 2011 World Cup.

His magical touch and the three masterpieces have truly done India proud and made the year a very very special 2010.