From the iSport Cricket Paddock: India won it's first test at Mohali against the Australians. iSporter Akshay Iyer pens his match analysis on this 'special win' and the contribution of one man who opened the doors of victory; VVS Laxman.
VVS Laxman took his batting to another level against the Australians, and the classy batsman did it yet again as he took India home by a whisker in the first Test match against the visitors at Mohali.
Laxman has been the scourge of the Aussies since his epic 281 at the Eden Gardens in 2001. Such has been his dominance against the Australians, both at home and Down Under, that out of genuine respect he has been dubbed ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman by the Aussie cricketing community!
And, in Mohali, Laxman was at it yet again as his unbeaten 73 took India home by one wicket to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two match Test series against Australia.
The match was evenly poised when Laxman strode out to the middle in the first session of the last day to join Sachin Tendulkar at the fall of night watchman Zaheer Khan’s wicket. At the time, India was 76 for 5, with 140 runs still needed for a famous win. Tendulkar and Laxman added 40 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was caught by Michael Hussey at gully with Doug Bollinger being the successful bowler. India’s captain MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh then fell in quick succession as the hosts were staring at defeat at 124 for 8.
Laxman, who has always had a calm presence at the wicket, was unruffled by the loss of three quick wickets, and his face remained devoid of any emotion except focus for the task at hand. Luckily for Laxman, he found an able ally in Ishant Sharma, who was prepared to ground it out and stick around with his senior partner.
In fact, both Laxman and Ishant were carrying injuries sustained during the Mohali Test. While Laxman was nursing a sore back and had to bat with a runner in both innings, Ishant injured his right knee while fielding in Australia’s first innings. But, despite the physical discomfort they were under, Laxman and Ishant slowly but surely started to bring India back in to the match.
While Laxman hit some of his trademark shots to peg the Australians on the back foot, Ishant offered tough resistance at the other end while keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Ishant must also have been helped by the fact that Laxman had enough faith in his abilities to hold on to his wicket. During the course of their match-winning partnership of 81 runs for the ninth wicket, Laxman played the role of the senior partner to perfection as he kept Ishant’s nerves calm, while at the same time battling his own sore back to play some delightful shots on both sides of the wicket.
Another important aspect of Laxman’s knock was that his counter-attacking style slowly but surely started to rankle the Australians, especially their captain Ricky Ponting as well as the Baggy Greens’ bowling line-up. The fact that Laxman got to his unbeaten 73 in only 79 balls is a reflection of the calm urgency he displayed in the middle. Laxman’s runner Suresh Raina also deserves a mention here for some brilliant running between the wickets. And, though Ben Hilefenhaus dismissed Ishant with India still needing 11 runs to win, Laxman shepherded No. 11 Pragyan Ojha as India just managed to squeeze home.
The Australians were left scratching yet again at the mastery that Laxman holds over them even as they grudgingly admired his skill and courage in the middle. Laxman has hardly ever got his due, but in spite of being one of the unsung heroes, his contributions to India’s win in Mohali can’t be overlooked.
Laxman is one special talent, and as long as he is in the middle, the opposition, especially the Australians will refuse to breathe easy!
Laxman has been the scourge of the Aussies since his epic 281 at the Eden Gardens in 2001. Such has been his dominance against the Australians, both at home and Down Under, that out of genuine respect he has been dubbed ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman by the Aussie cricketing community!
And, in Mohali, Laxman was at it yet again as his unbeaten 73 took India home by one wicket to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two match Test series against Australia.
The match was evenly poised when Laxman strode out to the middle in the first session of the last day to join Sachin Tendulkar at the fall of night watchman Zaheer Khan’s wicket. At the time, India was 76 for 5, with 140 runs still needed for a famous win. Tendulkar and Laxman added 40 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was caught by Michael Hussey at gully with Doug Bollinger being the successful bowler. India’s captain MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh then fell in quick succession as the hosts were staring at defeat at 124 for 8.
Laxman, who has always had a calm presence at the wicket, was unruffled by the loss of three quick wickets, and his face remained devoid of any emotion except focus for the task at hand. Luckily for Laxman, he found an able ally in Ishant Sharma, who was prepared to ground it out and stick around with his senior partner.
In fact, both Laxman and Ishant were carrying injuries sustained during the Mohali Test. While Laxman was nursing a sore back and had to bat with a runner in both innings, Ishant injured his right knee while fielding in Australia’s first innings. But, despite the physical discomfort they were under, Laxman and Ishant slowly but surely started to bring India back in to the match.
While Laxman hit some of his trademark shots to peg the Australians on the back foot, Ishant offered tough resistance at the other end while keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Ishant must also have been helped by the fact that Laxman had enough faith in his abilities to hold on to his wicket. During the course of their match-winning partnership of 81 runs for the ninth wicket, Laxman played the role of the senior partner to perfection as he kept Ishant’s nerves calm, while at the same time battling his own sore back to play some delightful shots on both sides of the wicket.
Another important aspect of Laxman’s knock was that his counter-attacking style slowly but surely started to rankle the Australians, especially their captain Ricky Ponting as well as the Baggy Greens’ bowling line-up. The fact that Laxman got to his unbeaten 73 in only 79 balls is a reflection of the calm urgency he displayed in the middle. Laxman’s runner Suresh Raina also deserves a mention here for some brilliant running between the wickets. And, though Ben Hilefenhaus dismissed Ishant with India still needing 11 runs to win, Laxman shepherded No. 11 Pragyan Ojha as India just managed to squeeze home.
The Australians were left scratching yet again at the mastery that Laxman holds over them even as they grudgingly admired his skill and courage in the middle. Laxman has hardly ever got his due, but in spite of being one of the unsung heroes, his contributions to India’s win in Mohali can’t be overlooked.
Laxman is one special talent, and as long as he is in the middle, the opposition, especially the Australians will refuse to breathe easy!
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Akshay Iyer
said:
 |
... @Guests 1, 2 and 3: A tremendous performance by India indeed. At one stage it looked as though the hosts were down for the count, but a tremedous comeback engineered by Laxman with help from Ishant. Gotta feel for the Aussies though .... they tried their best too!!!! |
Akshay Iyer
said:
|
... The Aussies sure aren't well liked in India, are they!!!!! They had been the dominating force in world cricket for quite a while, and while that may be changing now, the Aussies have as competitive a team as any other. And, thanks for your comments -- Akshay |
a guest
said:
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... Yes even when they were the dominating force, there was one team that challenged them and then later went on to dethrone them! |
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