A good knock against the Aussies is always very satisfying, says Laxman

In the last 15 years, Eden Gardens has been kind to players from Hyderabad. Mohammed Azharuddin who made his Test debut here scored centuries against England (twice), South Africa and Australia. In fact Azhar has a total of 860 runs in the five Tests he has played here. VVS Laxman has also enjoyed the atmosphere at the Eden Gardens. In the last five innings that he has played here, Laxman's scores have been 95 (against Australia), 5 and 67 (against Pakistan) and 59 and an unbeaten 109 (against Australia). Like Sunil Gavaskar, Laxman could have easily said that he would love to carry the pitch at the Eden Gardens in his kit bag.

However, he did not say that. The first thing that he said after his brilliant unbeaten 109 today was that he would like to congratulate Gopichand for his brilliant performance in the All England badminton tournament. As a horde of media men converged on him, Laxman handled them with the same proficiency that he had shown while handling Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. Asked as to when he was informed regarding the promotion in the batting order, Laxman said, "Immediately after my dismissal in the first innings, skipper Ganguly and the coach John Wright informed me that I was batting one drop. I did not feel uncomfortable at all simply because I have always enjoyed batting at that position. I play at number three for South Zone and Hyderabad." The lanky, stylish batsman also stated that growing up on the matting wickets in Hyderabad had helped him to play the medium pacers and the fast bowlers better.

Laxman, however, was not really able to differentiate between the 167 that he scored at Sydney against the same side in the 1999-2000 series and the knock today. "Both have their own sweet feeling. The 167 is very special because it was my first Test hundred. It was played under conditions which we are not really used to. Again the knock here at the Eden Gardens is also very special simply because it came when the side really needed a big innings. I will really not be able to distinguish between the two." Then he added with a wry smile, "It is really difficult as I have so far got only two Test hundreds."

An Australian journalist asked him as to whether he had a special liking for Australian bowling as most of his big scores have been against them. Laxman was quite candid when he replied, "They are a really very good side. Since my under-19 days when I played against the likes of Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, I have always cherished playing against them. They bring out the best in you. A good knock against them is always very satisfying." He was also not ready to single out any particular bowler in the present side. "Everyone bowled very well. They are all professionals. They never give away easy runs."

Laxman stated that when he had gone out to bat during the first innings, his intentions were to try and save the follow on. "Unfortunately however, that did not happen. However Venkatesh Prasad showed to rest of the team that it was possible to bat on this wicket. In the second innings everyone contributed."

Laxman knows very well that the fate of the match now revolves mainly around him and Rahul Dravid. "Tomorrow the first two hours will be very crucial. They will definitely take the new ball. If Dravid and myself can play out the new ball and set the Australians a target of around 220 to 250 then we will have a chance. However, my main aim is to bat as long as I can," said Laxman. He also added that his intention had always been to attack whenever the opportunity was there. "Against a good bowling side, you cannot play with a defensive approach. It is you who have to take the initiative to the opposition. Thankfully, I have succeeded in doing that to a certain extent. However, the job is long from over."

India may not still save this Test match. However, at least they can hold their heads a little high, courtesy of a soft-spoken batsman from Hyderabad who has taken the attack to the Australians. An innings that prompted the chairman of the selection committee Chandu Borde to say, "It is after a long time that I have seen an Indian batsman dominate the pacemen so well. A really superb knock."