NEW DELHI: The elegant strokes of V.V.S. Laxman will no longer be seen on the international stage after one of India’s most celebrated test batsmen announced his retirement on Saturday.
“I’ve decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect,” Laxman told a crowded news conference in Hyderabad, which is set to host the first game of a two-test series against New Zealand starting Thursday.
The announcement came as a surprise ahead of a series for which Laxman had been picked just last week.
“I’ve always kept the country’s success and needs ahead of my aspirations and while I would’ve liked to contribute against England and Australia at home later this season, I’d like to give a chance to youngsters to prepare for overseas tours in the next few years,” Laxman said.
Though withdrawing from international cricket, he will continue to play in the domestic Indian game.
The 37-year-old batsman, who provided several match-winning test performances during a 16-year international career, made the announcement within five months of the decision by fellow batting stalwart Rahul Dravid to quit international cricket.
The two batsmen were credited with ensuring several test wins for India but were also blamed last season for eight consecutive away defeats in England and Australia that saw the team lose its No.1 test ranking to England. Laxman could only manage 337 runs in those eight games.
“It’s been a very emotional day for me speaking to my teammates. They were surprised to hear of my decision to retire immediately. I also spoke to the selectors only this morning. But I’m happy to have made the right decision as I think this is the right time to move on,” said Laxman, who scored 8,781 runs in 134 tests with 17 centuries.
Laxman, who had the knack of finding gaps with his immaculate timing, was prolific against the Australians, scoring 2,434 test runs in 29 games against them.
He is best remembered for an epic 281 against Australia at Kolkata in a 2001 match which India won despite following-on.
However, he refused to pick a favorite test innings on Saturday.
“Any innings which helped to win or save a game will remain close to me. I’m very fortunate that I got to play such important innings. I will definitely cherish all of them,” he said.
Laxman held his place despite the presence of big names like Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag in the test batting lineup. He was lovingly referred to as ‘Very Very Special’ Laxman by sports writers the world over.
“I’ve always felt that through cricket I got the opportunity to serve my country. I was fortunate to play in an era when India played some of its best cricket at home and abroad. I was lucky to be playing with several legends of the game,” he added.
Laxman had no doubt about his most formidable opponent.
“The toughest bowler I faced was Wasim Akram. He was a master of variations. International cricket gave me the chance to play the best bowlers and I’m thankful to God for that,” he added.
Laxman said he would continue to play domestic cricket, in which he represents Hyderabad. In the Indian Premier League, he has turned out for Deccan Chargers and subsequently Kochi Tuskers, while also having played for Lancashire in English county matches in the past.
Laxman, who scored 2,338 runs in 86 one-day internationals, was not an automatic choice for limited overs games after his initial few years and never got to play in any World Cup.
V.V.S. Laxman retires from international cricket
