Hyderabad: VVS Laxman, who won many a match for India with his wristy elegance, including an epic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect on Saturday, bringing down the curtains on a glorious career spanning 16 years.
The 37-year-old Laxman, one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket, said that he listened to his “inner voice” while taking the decision to bid adieu to the game which he played with “great pride for the country”.
“I would like to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. I think it’s right time to move on”, an emotional Laxman told a press conference here.
But what came as a surprise was his decision to quit the game with immediate effect despite being picked in the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which starts here on August 23.
He chose not to take the opportunity to bow out of international cricket in front of his home crowd in Hyderabad, for whom he will continue to play Ranji Trophy until year’s end.
“It was a tough decision to take, I have always listened to my inner conscience. The inner voice is a divine voice, I have always done that right through my career. I felt this is the right time to move on”, he said.
Laxman, who earned the sobriquet ‘Very Very Special’ for his style and flair, played 134 Tests, amassing 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97. He scored 17 hundreds and 56 half centuries in the longest format of the game.
Laxman, who was not a regular in India’s ODI team, played 86 matches for an aggregate of 2,338 at an average of 30.76. Unfortunately for him, he could never be a part of India’s World Cup campaigns which remains one of his biggest regrets.
“I have always kept my country’s success and need ahead of my personal aspirations. And while I would love contributing to the team’s success, especially against England and Australia, I think this is the right time to give opportunity to the youngsters in home conditions ahead of international assignments”, Laxman said.
“Till last night I was unable to make up my mind, but in the end I listened to my inner voice and arrived at my decision to retire. I informed the chairman of selectors this morning that I would not continue playing for India. I also spoke to many of my team mates, they were surprised that I was retiring before the series. It was all very emotional, he said.
“It was a dream for me to play for India since childhood and I am extremely thankful to the Almighty for giving me the opportunity to serve my country.”
“I always felt that through cricket I got an opportunity to serve my country. I was fortunate to play in an era when India played some of its best cricket, home as well as away. I would like to thank everyone who guided me and encouraged me through my career.”
Laxman will always be remembered for the magnificent 281 he scored against Australia at the Eden Gardens in March 2001 – an innings which didn’t just change the face of the match but also turned the entire series on its head.
That knock was ranked sixth in Wisden’s list of 100 great Test innings in the history of the game. It was just one of the several match-winning knocks that the unassuming batsman played against the mighty Aussies at their peak.
Laxman honoured
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) honoured the just-retired Laxman by naming the north stand of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal after the stylish right-hander.
HCA president G Vinod hoped Laxman would continue to play for Hyderabad in the domestic circuit.
“On the day of his retirement, we appeal to him (Laxman) to continue playing for Hyderabad. We wish him all the best for a great future,” Vinod said.
‘Laxman’s void can never be fulfilled’
Seniormost batsman Sachin Tendulkar feels that Laxman’s void in the team will be difficult to fill and he will miss the Hyderabadi stylist.
“When I walk out to play in Hyderabad, I will feel a deep void. A void that can never be fulfilled. My dear friend, VVS Laxman…” Tendulkar tweeted on Saturday.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar said that Laxman is a cricketer who emerges once in a generation.
“Laxman has had an outstanding career. He is one of the few batsman who was a great chaser, an art only a few could master,” Vengsarkar stated.
Sourav Ganguly recollected the epic knock of 281 at the Eden Gardens.
“That was the brightest day in Laxman’s career. That innings had a big impact on Indian cricket. It had given us a huge sense of relief and made us have belief in ourself that we’re not behind… Since then, we never looked back as Indian cricket kept improving.”
“He was terrific… a God’s gifted player. When I first saw him, his style seemed to me like that of Mohammad Azharuddin but he went on to prove himself to be better.” (PTI)