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| V.V.S. Laxman on way to his 109 at the SCG on Thursday. (AFP) |
Sydney: The Man of the Day, V.V.S. Laxman, spoke to the media after stumps on Day II of the second Test. Later, he had a brief one-on-one with The Telegraph at the Radisson Plaza.
The following are excerpts
On remaining an unsung hero of sorts
The way I look at it is that it’s great getting opportunities to play for the country and I’ve got the opportunity in 88 Tests... Instead of thinking of other things, what’s important is to accept responsibility and give off your best.
On having a superb average against Australia 52.70
It’s satisfying for any cricketer to do well against the best team in the world... I’m pleased that I’ve consistently done so against Australia, particularly in tough situations.
On whether his hundred (109, with two chances) on Thursday is the best of his three at the SCG
Wouldn’t say so as all three hundreds are close to each other (in terms of being special)... I’m just very happy that I could do the job today... Pleased that I could play my shots...
On taking guard at a ground which has been special
The earlier performances give a boost... You know the ambience, know how the wicket behaves... It gives confidence.
On having got out soon after the dismissal of Rahul Dravid, with whom he had a jumbo partnership
It’s disappointing... I’d have loved to remain unbeaten and resume on the third day.
On his departure soon after Dravid’s confirming that outstanding partnerships actually end in twos
(Grins) Somehow, it keeps happening... However, I wouldn’t say that the partner who is not out becomes conscious that a big partnership has been broken.
On his 175-run partnership with Dravid
We played our game and didn’t interfere with each other, so to say... It’s important to get partnerships and not look at individual contributions... We would’ve been under much pressure had one of us gone soon after Wasim Jaffer’s dismissal (8 for 1)... I was very pleased for Rahul when he got his 50.
On whether both he and Dravid suffered a loss in concentration after reaching landmarks
I wouldn’t say a lapse in concentration, rather an error in judgement... One misjudges the line or the length.
On Dravid having congratulated him emotionally once he got his hundred
He was very happy for me... I can’t recall what he said.
On whether he’d made a conscious effort to counter attack early in the afternoon
No... I played on the merit of the ball.
On whether he expects this innings of his to bring him back in the one-day scheme of things
(Laughs) Am not thinking about it... This Test isn’t over and I’ll now be concentrating on the second innings... Won’t be thinking about the ODIs.
On the wicket
Good to bat on... One can play through the line and get value for shots.
On whether the umpiring howlers put him under more pressure
You don’t think about the things you can’t control... You go out and play your best, play the ball on merit.
On referrals to the third (TV) umpire
Depends on what the ICC wants... It’s good going to the third umpire when there’s a doubt.
On whether batting at No. 3 allows him the freedom to bat in his style instead of worrying about the tail when he’s slotted at No. 6
Sometimes yes... At No. 3, you’re setting up the game... At No. 6, you’ve got to play according to the situation... There’s a huge difference, yes.
On Dravid’s innings of 53
Even though he wasn’t timing the ball well at the start, Rahul played a fighting innings and it showed a lot about his character... They bowled well to him, bowled in good areas, but he kept fighting.
On the game plan after the batsmen failed in both innings at the MCG
That was a different wicket, the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat and shot-making was difficult... At the SCG, one has been able to play one’s natural game... At the MCG, we didn’t capitalise on the starts... One talked about doing so here. If you’ve noticed, the Australians’ field setting has been different... Obviously, they’ve got different game plans for different batsmen and in different conditions... Watching the Australians play is a learning experience.
On his expectations from Sachin Tendulkar, who has a phenomenal average at the SCG
He’s batting brilliantly, as is Sourav (Ganguly), and if they have a big partnership then we can post a big first innings total and put Australia under pressure. I’m sure Sachin will get a double hundred tomorrow.
On the state of the second Test
It’s balanced well... It’s important for Sachin and Sourav to start off on a high tomorrow...
On whether the poor umpiring could impact negatively on the outcome
Look, we’d like to think positively...
On which Australian started the sledging
(Laughs) Nobody did.
On whether his family (wife Sailaja and toddler-son Sarvajit) were at the SCG
No... They saw a part of my innings at the hotel and then went sightseeing.
Finally, on how he intends celebrating
Quietly, at a friend’s place.
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