MUMBAI: VVS Laxman’s third consecutive century at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 109 off 142 balls, is the impetus that will stir the experienced Indian batting line-up to life, believes chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar.
Laxman hit 167 as an opener during the 1999-00 tour and followed it up with 178 the last time India visited Australia. While Sunil Gavaskar has five hundreds at Port of Spain, leading the list of Indians with most tons at an away venue, Vengsarkar made Lord’s his playground, hitting three centuries on the trot between 1979 and ‘86.
“Laxman played superbly and the innings was what was needed at the time. Jaffer got out early and Laxman, by playing his strokes, sent out a strong message to the Australians. I watched the game on television and Laxman’s shots were brilliant. I really enjoyed watching him play,” Vengsarkar said.
Laxman reached his half-century off just 43 balls, which included 10 boundaries. “When someone plays the way Laxman did today, it helps the batsmen sitting in the dressing room gain confidence.
For most of his innings Laxman was toying with the Australian attack. Watching a teammate play the opposition bowlers with such confidence makes things easier for the batsmen to follow. It was the kind of innings that was needed after what happened at Melbourne,” the chief selector observed.
Vengsarkar believes that with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly at the wicket, India are in with a chance to go for a win. “They (Sachin-Ganguly) have to help India put up a big total.
If we take a decent lead our bowlers can put Australia under pressure in the second innings. But the bowlers will have to get those wickets and, of course, Steve Bucknor has to give them out!” he added.
