Book Review
VVS Laxman: 281 and Beyond
Westland Publications pp. 309
Though VVS Laxman may not be a cricketing legend in the strict sense in Infia, his biography is a fascinating account, recounted by the celebrated journalist R.Kaushik, in the most professional and articulate manner possible..
Laxman is a household name in India, though he is shy of publicity and show off. He had been a vital cog in the wheel of Indian team in Test matches, and it was always a delight to watch him take on the best of bowlers in the world under any favorable
or unfavourable situations.
He was a batsman who could rip apart any bowling attack on his day. He played over one hundred Test matches to aggregate 8000 runs. His game changing knock of 281 against the mighty Aussies in 2001 at the Eden Gardens is still etched in the minds of cricket lovers.
Playing for India was not so very easy, as he was dropped as often as he was selected, and despite his vast experience and unmatched skill, he never made it to a World Cup team.
All through his playing career, Laxman was known to be of arctic temperament, very soft-spoken person who never entered in any kind of controversy or feud.
A strict vegetarian, Laxman is also a highly religious person. He nostalgically recalls: "Between the Mumbai and Kolkata Tests, I had watched a couple of movies and then gone to Shirdi to pray to Sai Baba.
Spirituality has been my constant companion since childhood. My classmate from school, Amit Mohan Lal had accompanied me on the Shirdi visit after the three-day drubbing in the Mumbai Test.
During the journey, I kept asking questions ---- of myself, and Shirdi Sai Baba too." The paperback volume has some captivating family photographs.
And every cricket aficionado will enjoy reading it from page to page. The back cover of the book aptly says: In 281 and Beyond, Laxman lays bare the ecstasy and the trauma of being one of the chosen X1 in a country that is devoted to cricket.
S. Rifaquat Ali
Sydney, Australia
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
Your donation
is tax deductable.
