The stylish V V S Laxman, India’s middle order bulwark who announced his retirement from international cricket recently, reckons that his ability to come good in pressure situations was his “biggest strength” as a batsman.
The 37-year-old Laxman said he loved playing under difficult situations and adversities brought out the best in him.
“I used to love playing under tough situations when the team was under pressure. Adversities brought out the best in me. I guess it came from having to be the main batsman for Hyderabad since a young age”, he said.
“I was used to taking up more responsibility when the team was struggling. More than the technique and the skill set, I think the ability to come good in pressure situations was my biggest strength as a batsman,” said Laxman, whose sudden decision to quit the game triggered speculation of a strained relationship with his captain M S Dhoni.
Laxman also did not agree with the notion that he was more of an ‘artist’ than a batsman and said he always considered himself as a batsman who had to get runs for the country.
“I’ve always considered myself as a batsman who has to get runs for the country. Every individual has a different style. But your role is to get results for the team. My role was to get the runs and take the catches that came my way,” Laxman told BCCI’s official website.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of shots you play to get those runs and whether it is pleasing to the eye. All that is the by-product of what you’re trying to achieve for the team.
I thank the Almighty for the talent to please the eyes of those who watch me bat. But my only aim when I went out to bat was to get runs for the team”, he explained.
PTI
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