HYDERABAD: VVS Laxman has come a long way since his first visit to the Caribbean in 1997. From opening for the country then to becoming India's vice-captain a second time, he has been there and done that. Still, he finds the latest tour to the West Indies alluring.
"The 1997 series was a great learning experience for me. Opening the innings for the first time against Walsh, Ambrose, Bishop and Franklyn Rose was a great experience. I'm quite happy with my performance in the West Indies. In fact, West Indies is one of my favourite place because of its cricket culture, for the kind of people who come and watch the game. It's a great place to tour and I'm looking forward to one more visit," said Laxman on Tuesday after a stint at the Gymkhana nets. The Test specialists leave on June 12.
Laxman has played 16 Tests against the Calypso Kings - 13 away (903 runs) - and aggregates 1174 runs at an average of 52.36. The World No. 1 Test team will not have Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in its ranks. But Laxman hoped to repeat his 2002 show, when in five matches he totalled 474 runs at 79, and the team its 2006 performance when they won a Test series in the West Indies after 35 years.
"We will definitely miss the services of Sachin, Viru and Gautam. That said, even when they were there I always performed to the best of my ability. This time will be no different. Their replacements Murali Vijay, Abhinav Mukund and Virat Kohli are up and coming youngsters. If we play to our potential we'll definitely win. We won the Test series there last time and we hope to repeat the feat."
Not just the team, there is a change in support staff too, including new coach Duncan Fletcher. "We will miss Gary (Kirsten) without doubt and I'm sure Duncan Fletcher will continue what Gary has done because he has done well with the countries he was associated with. We are looking to continue the good work done by Gary and I'm sure the Indian team will prosper under the guidance of Duncan Fletcher," Laxman said.
The appointment couldn't have come at a better time as India head to England after the Windies tour. "Playing England in England will be definitely the toughest challenge because England have done very well the last few seasons. Personally, I've never got a hundred but a lot of 50s. It would be a dream Test match if I get a 100 at Lord's and we win the Test. That will be really special!"
India's first Test on their latest Caribbean sojourn begins in Jamaica on June 20 and Laxman reckons the series will not be easy.
"West Indies in West Indies is very tough competition. They have good match-winners, so it will be a good contest. How you meet the challenge is very important. I've always given a lot of importance to my performance overseas."
TOI
"The 1997 series was a great learning experience for me. Opening the innings for the first time against Walsh, Ambrose, Bishop and Franklyn Rose was a great experience. I'm quite happy with my performance in the West Indies. In fact, West Indies is one of my favourite place because of its cricket culture, for the kind of people who come and watch the game. It's a great place to tour and I'm looking forward to one more visit," said Laxman on Tuesday after a stint at the Gymkhana nets. The Test specialists leave on June 12.
Laxman has played 16 Tests against the Calypso Kings - 13 away (903 runs) - and aggregates 1174 runs at an average of 52.36. The World No. 1 Test team will not have Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in its ranks. But Laxman hoped to repeat his 2002 show, when in five matches he totalled 474 runs at 79, and the team its 2006 performance when they won a Test series in the West Indies after 35 years.
"We will definitely miss the services of Sachin, Viru and Gautam. That said, even when they were there I always performed to the best of my ability. This time will be no different. Their replacements Murali Vijay, Abhinav Mukund and Virat Kohli are up and coming youngsters. If we play to our potential we'll definitely win. We won the Test series there last time and we hope to repeat the feat."
Not just the team, there is a change in support staff too, including new coach Duncan Fletcher. "We will miss Gary (Kirsten) without doubt and I'm sure Duncan Fletcher will continue what Gary has done because he has done well with the countries he was associated with. We are looking to continue the good work done by Gary and I'm sure the Indian team will prosper under the guidance of Duncan Fletcher," Laxman said.
The appointment couldn't have come at a better time as India head to England after the Windies tour. "Playing England in England will be definitely the toughest challenge because England have done very well the last few seasons. Personally, I've never got a hundred but a lot of 50s. It would be a dream Test match if I get a 100 at Lord's and we win the Test. That will be really special!"
India's first Test on their latest Caribbean sojourn begins in Jamaica on June 20 and Laxman reckons the series will not be easy.
"West Indies in West Indies is very tough competition. They have good match-winners, so it will be a good contest. How you meet the challenge is very important. I've always given a lot of importance to my performance overseas."
TOI
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