VVS Laxman, Sunil Joshi felicitated

He could very well have been playing on his home ground in Hyderabad last month end and at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here. However, VVS Laxman chose otherwise and announced retirement from international cricket on August 18, five days before the two-Test series against New Zealand began.

During the tea break on the third day’s play, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) felicitated Laxman and former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi, who also had announced his retirement not long ago. While the duo, with their families, was the cynosure of all, there was ample star power at the gathering, including the likes of KSCA president Anil Kumble, its secretary Javagal Srinath, BK Venkatesh Prasad, GR Viswanath, Rahul Dravid, Duncan Fletcher, S Badrinath, Piyush Chawla, Virat Kohli et al. Naturally, there was a huge applause from the crowd as Laxman acknowledged it. Viswanath presented Laxman with a memento and gave him a warm hug. That actually said a lot, an acknowledgement for the great contribution the Hyderabadi made to Indian cricket. Kumble praised the contribution of Laxman and Joshi to Indian cricket.

Later, Laxman said: “I would have loved to play. It’s a great honour playing for the country and you always would love to continue doing that. But I thought it was the best time for me to move on. I’m very happy and satisfied with my decision. This is the right time to give an opportunity to a youngster. I wish the youngsters all the best and they have done fantastically in the two matches.”

Laxman will concentrate on Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad. “I’m looking forward to the Ranji Trophy because I have not played much for Hyderabad since 2000. I feel it is my moral responsibility to give something back to Hyderabad cricket,” he said.