If VVS Laxman believes in talismans, he should carry a tuft of grass from Eden Gardens in his pocket wherever he steps out to bat. After all he has scored more than a 1000 runs here and has got some of his biggest hundreds at this imposing venue.
Laxman broke a century-less spell of 16 Tests with an unbeaten 176 as India declared at 631 for seven on Day Two of the second Test against the West Indies on Tuesday.
He shared a 215-run partnership with another centurion, captain MS Dhoni, as they set up the mammoth total, possibly looking not to bat again in this Test.
West Indies, in reply, were struggling at 34 for two when play was called off due to bad light. Pacer Umesh Yadav and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had both picked up a wicket each.
Laxman had been among runs, but his trademark hundreds had dried up. Though he had a couple of 90s and 80s and many half-centuries, a big hundred is something that would have given him a much-needed boost ahead of the big-ticket tour of Australia.
When he stepped out to resume from his overnight score of 73 on Tuesday, it wasn’t an ideal setting for batting. Overcast conditions and humidity helped the ball move around and sunlight failed to shine through the cloud cover.
However, the veteran batsman hung around patiently. While Yuvraj Singh began with a boundary, Laxman had to bide for his time.
Though he had begun well, Yuvraj started to struggle as pacers moved the ball. Laxman, with his eyes set in and feet moving, asserted his class.
Fidel Edwards bowled to him with seven fielders on the off-side. It was just one delivery that he sent straight and the Hyderabad batsman used his wrist to pack it off to the boundary between long-on and mid-wicket.
Yuvraj’s scratchy innings ended at 25 when he was trapped in front of the stumps by captain Darren Sammy. While the Caribbeans celebrated, Dhoni walked out to start what would be a long leather hunt for the visitors.
In the 102nd over of the innings, Laxman put his foot forward to flick Sammy’s full length delivery and sent it to boundary bisecting mid on and mid wicket and reached his fifth century at Eden.
Laxman was prolific. Though boundaries dried up for him after he reached his hundred, he kept picking up ones and twos while Dhoni appeared intent on scoring as much as possible before he declared the innings.
The first session ended 20 minutes ahead of schedule as play was held up due to bad light and an early lunch was called.
Post lunch, Dhoni continued with his aggressive batting and Laxman dropped anchor looking to rotate the strike.
Dhoni, who began his scoring with a lofted shot to long-off boundary, was twice caught behind the wickets off Kemar Roach’s bowling. But the bowler was guilty of overstepping both the times.
Dhoni was relentless. Apart from his usual full-blooded hits, Dhoni played cheeky unorthodox shots which possibly gave hope to the Windies that he may get out anytime. He did get out but only after the tea session by which time, he had clobbered fives sixes and given his team an advantageous position. He declared soon possibly resisting the temptation to let Laxman go for his double. But given his form before this match, Laxman would be happy with his day’s work.
