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[Sahir]

Indian cricket
'I am not too old to retire' - Laxman
Cricinfo staff
April 23, 2006

VVS Laxman has brushed aside suggestions that, at 31, he is too old to play the game at the highest level and asserted that he remained a matchwinner.

"I don't see why people are making a big issue of me being 30 plus," he told Times of India. "I am not too old to retire or give up the game. There have been players who have represented the country beyond the 30s. As long as I contribute to the team with my batting and fielding, I don't see any reason why I should give up. I am a batsman and not a bowler and having crossed the 30s does not bother me."

Laxman cited Greg Chappell's vision to support his cause. "Greg is looking for people who can perform and give their 100% to the team's cause and win matches. He is basically looking for matchwinners and I am proud to say that I am a matchwinner. I have bailed the team out of many a tight situation in the past and am confident of doing so in the future too."

He gave the details of his fitness regime to prove that he is match fit. "I work out for nearly three hours in the morning. It is mostly jogging here. I do almost 25 rounds every day. I alternate it with time in the gym. I have another three hour workout in the evenings but it is mostly batting in the nets. For the last one-and-a-half months since the end of the Test series against England, I have been working hard on improving my fitness. Once a person is fit, he will naturally be good on the field."

Laxman also expressed hope and confidence that he would force his way into the one-day team. "Right now my focus is on the Tests and am confident of forcing my way back in to the ODI side. I still believe that I can perform for the team in the ODIs and win matches for the country."

Laxman was left out of the 2003 World Cup and had called it the lowest point of his career. Four years later he still harbours hopes of playing in one. "Playing in the World Cup is a dream for me and I am confident of achieving it. There is still a lot of cricket to be played before the World Cup and I am sure of finding a place in the team."

© Cricinfo

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/245134.html

[vijay]

I hope he gets a chance vs W Indies, during the test series- and is a hit. In my mind, his 281 was the greatest single inning played by an Indian, ever- in test cricket. Nothing would make me happier than to see VVS force his way back into the side. I hope the selectors don't think he's done and at least give him a chance to fight for a position in the team.

[senthilpeter]

I hope he gets a chance vs W Indies, during the test series- and is a hit. In my mind, his 281 was the greatest single inning played by an Indian, ever- in test cricket. Nothing would make me happier than to see VVS force his way back into the side. I hope the selectors don't think he's done and at least give him a chance to fight for a position in the team.

you know what.. for all my hard-nosed winning is everything mentality, I would really really love to see dear Lax be in the WC'07 squad. I feel he was hard done by in '03 and just to make him happy I'd like to see him in the squad. He doesn't have to be in the XI, just being in the squad is good enough. I really hope he can somehow sneak in, though a rational side of me tells me there's very little chance unless the ODI team flops big time in WI.

[ramshorns]

I give the man credit for always saying the right things.  Never did he say in the interview on how he deserved a place in the team etc. and instead gave coach Greg credit, and also how ihe s trying to improve to fit in.  I wish Greg does the same thing and show some respect to this genuine match winner.  To me the second best test bat behind Dravid. 

Also I can vouch for his regimen.  He even today plays league cricket for the HCA and stays out of politics.  He does nets at the Gymkhana and the DON BOSCO school, which has good facilities.   Very Very aminable person.

I sometimes feels his not speaking out like Yuvraj/Sehwag/HS and niether having the backing of anyone pretty much throughout his career always cost him.  I feel for him that way.

As for WC07, I am not sure at this point.  It is a wait and see approach.  But as a fan of Indian cricket and a fan ofr VVS for his great batsmanship it is heartening to see that he has not given up.  As his fan I feel very proud of him and am glad I am his fan for the qualities he has apart from his game.

Good luck to you Lax.

[openforum]

I give the man credit for always saying the right things.  Never did he say in the interview on how he deserved a place in the team etc. and instead gave coach Greg credit, and also how is trying to improve to fit in.  I wish Greg does the same thing and show respect to this genuine match winner.  To me the second best test bat behind Dravid. 

Also I can vouch for his regimen.  He even today plays league cricket for the HCA and stays out of politics.  He does nets at the Gymkhana and the DON BOSCO school, which has good facilities.   Very Very aminable person.

I sometimes feels his not speaking out like Yuvraj/Sehwag/HS and niether having the backing of anyone pretty much throughout his career always cost him.  I feel for him that way.

As for WC07, I am not sure at this point.  It is a wait and see approach.  But as a fan of Indian cricket and a fan for VVS for his great batsmanship it is heartening to see that he has not given up.  As his fan I feel very proud of him and am glad I am his fan for the qualities he has apart from his game.

Good luck to you Lax.

Totally concur. I think when Azza was around he tried to help him a bit but after that its been a lone battle. Good luck vvs.

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

agree with you ramshorns, odis in WI without laxman eh too boring, yes there are the sehwags, rainas, the yuvrajs and the kaifs but none as classy as laxman.