Dec. 30: He doesn’t drag the team out of crises, he cajoles it. When VVS Laxman’s strokes start to flow and the Zen-like concentration takes over, you know everything’s going to be all right. The pressure eases, the field spreads, and before the opposition can realise, the recovery is complete.
It’s become a ritual of sorts in recent times, with the stylist rescuing India against Sri Lanka in Colombo, against Australia in Mohali, against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. And now in Durban against South Africa — all in the last six months. On Thursday, he spoke about his recent form, his ability to bat alongside the tail for a long time, and about finding that lofty, almost mystical state “the zone”. Excerpts:
What’s the key difference between ‘Laxman of the first innings’ and ‘Laxman in crisis situations’?
The intention is always to get runs. I prepare the same for both innings, and I can tell you there’s no change in my mindset irrespective of whether it’s crisis or not. But subconsciously, situations like Durban get the best out of me. Probably I go into a zone in the second innings that makes more consistent.
More than the batting average, performing in tough situations is more important. The average tells how well you are doing well, not when. I get a lot of satisfaction when I play well in the second innings, and pull the side out of a tough situation.
What is going through your mind when you’re batting in such situations?
When you go into the zone, you realise you have no thoughts. Nothing distracts you — what the pacers are bowling, what the opposition fielders are talking. You are in the moment. You just react to the ball and nothing else
How do you want to be remembered when you retire?
You play to win matches for your country. You always want to be remembered as one who contributed to the team’s cause. The biggest recognition you can get is when your teammates know you can bail the team out of tough situations.
How do you tackle tough batting conditions?
It’s skill and experience, but most importantly you have to enjoy the challenge. That’s the beauty of Test cricket, it throws up so many different challenges like batting on seaming tracks or batting on cracked pitches. The Durban pitch was possibly the most challenging one I’ve ever played on, and every ball I had to carefully watch and then play.
Why is that the tailenders perform better in partnerships with you?
It boils down to experience and my personal rapport with them. It is important to give them confidence. Luckily, they work hard on their batting, so they take a lot of responsibility on themselves. That helps. Obviously, the rapport among the players is so good. We set ourselves small targets. We look at scoring five runs or seeing one over off. Most important thing is knowing what they are comfortable with. If one batsman is comfortable facing one bowler, then I’ll make sure he faces more of that bowler. It keeps the scoreboard moving and shifts the pressure on to the opposition.
2010 has seen you at your every best. Did you make any major changes in your technique?
I keep working on my technique and keep improving on my game. I’ve worked on my off-side play and tried to minimise the edges off my bat. I have not made any drastic changes though. With experience, you read the wickets, bowlers, opposition and the situation much better. I’m happy that this year, I have been able to do that. I’m happy continuing to do that.