Published>Tue, Feb 16 10 08:03 PM
Kolkata, Feb 16 (IANS) V.V.S Laxman's wife Sailaja and their children pleasantly surprised the cricketer Monday by coming to Kolkata for his marriage anniversary Tuesday. The batsman returned the compliment by scoring a classic hundred on Day Three of the second Test against South Africa and dedicating it to his better half.
Expressing his gratitude to Sailaja, the stylish right-hand Hyderabadi batsman said: 'She has been a pillar of strength for me and my family.'
'Definitely, I would like to dedicate this to my wife. It's tough being wife of a cricketer because we always keep travelling.'
'Today (Tuesday) is my marriage anniversary and it's great that my wife and my kids gave a pleasant surprise to me by coming to Kolkata,' Laxman said at the day-end media meet here.
Laxman stroked an unconquered knock of 143 as India took a 347-run first innings lead over South Africa by posting a mammoth 643 for six declared at the Eden Gardens.
The 35-year-old Hyderabadi got his fourth hundred at his favourite venue and also became the first batsman to score thousand-plus runs here.
'It feels good to score a hundred in Kolkata. People are so warm here. I always love coming here. I am glad I was able to maintain my record this time around too,' said Laxman, who got his 15th hundred in 110 Test matches.
Asked about playing at the half-filled Eden, he said even though all the galleries were not available, the spectators were very passionate. 'When Harbhajan got two wickets off successive balls, the way the crowd erupted was unbelievable. The crowd and passion in Kolkata is just amazing.'
Asked how he had geared up for the match after missing the Tests at Dhaka and Nagpur following a finger injury against Bangladesh in the Chittagong Test, Laxman said he was training well in Nagpur and even before the Test series.
'In the last three days of the Nagpur Test I had long net sessions. I batted using the bowling machine. I was quite confident coming into the Test,' he said.
Laxman was confident that India would be able to pull through a victory here to level the series they trail 0-1 after losing the opening Test at Nagpur. A win will also enable India successfully defend their top ranking in Tests.
'The pitch is deteriorating. There will be lot of assistance to the spinners without doubt. And with the quality of spinners we have, I am confident we will be able to capitalise,' Laxman said.
South Africa need 341 runs to stave off innings defeat.
'There will be a tough fight without doubt. We are not looking to finish off tomorrow. There is enough time to bowl them out.'
Laxman said the innings gave him a lot of satisfaction as it came when his team needed it.
'It always gives a lot of satisfaction whenever you perform and contribute to the team. I always enjoy batting in a tough situation and deliver for the side.'
Lauding Amit Mishra, who scored a stroke-filled 28 after coming as night watchman on the second day, Laxman said: 'His knock was invaluable. He got the momentum back today with his breezy innings.'
'Later, (M.S.) Dhoni and I took the game away from them (South Africa).'
Laxman was eloquent in praising Dhoni who scored 132 not out as the pair put on 259 runs for the unfinished seventh-wicket stand.
'He is a very powerful cricketer. He is possibly the most destructive batsman in world cricket now.'
'You can see the body language of the bowlers whenever Dhoni gets in, they become very defensive in the way they bowl and field.'
'Dhoni scores at a quick pace. It's great when a No. 7 batsman comes and destroys the opposition,' he said.
On the mood in the Indian camp after the innings loss in Nagpur, Laxman said the players regrouped after the Nagpur loss.
'We just wanted to do the things which we have been doing in the last two years. First, it was important to score a lot of runs in the first innings to put pressure on SA,' he added.
Source: Web Search
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