Is Laxman a great batsman?

[tooextracool]

This is pretty weird because I adore Laxman. Don't think I'm overly-critical really. There are times when we've needed runs and he's scored them. There are times when we've needed runs and he did not deliver, and Sachin scored them. Chennai 2008 a great example, where when Laxman went out and we had Yuvraj and Dhoni left, I thought we were goners.

No one is going to deliver on every occasion. My point is that Laxman is better than most players when it comes to delivering when it matters most. I should think that that is more relevant than whether his overall average is 50+ or not.

 

[vcs]

Gambhir did crap all vs. South Africa, Lanka away and Australia tbh.

Gambhir was top-scorer in Ind vs. Aus 2008 series despite playing only 3 matches. His 2010 form has been ordinary and he has been plagued by injury.

 

[blahblahblah]

Gambhir was top-scorer in Ind vs. Aus 2008 series despite playing only 3 matches. His 2010 form has been ordinary and he has been plagued by injury.

yep

SA series would be a good chance for him

 

[Jono]

Gambhir was top-scorer in Ind vs. Aus 2008 series despite playing only 3 matches. His 2010 form has been ordinary and he has been plagued by injury.

I'm not disputing Gambhir didn't do well (see last post). He is not the main reason we are #1 is my point.

Gambhir was awesome in Australia in 2008. Especially because he elbowed Watson.

 

[TumTum]

The reason India have done well is that throughout the last three years, Sehwag, Sachin, Gambhir and Laxman have all done well.

But in the matches that have been most critical (i.e. against Australia, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa) Sachin has outperformed Gambhir convincingly.

True but I get the feeling over the last few years Sachin has been riding on the strong starts both Sehwag and Gambhir have given India and a lot of his big scores were followed after a big score from these 2.

 

[tooextracool]

But you're forgetting that the more runs you score in the first dig, the less you have to score in the second dig.

India almost lost in Mohali because the lower order folded. If they had put on 500, Laxman probably would have not needed to bat, let alone play such a magnificent innings.

Take out Sachin's partnership with Raina in that match and I reckon we're in strife.

You dont think Laxman has scored runs in the first dig of a test match? I think theres many many times when hes performed.

 

[Jono]

I'm more talking about Sachin here, not detracting from Laxman, but anyway, I think we've both made our points.

 

[taipan1]

Yep.

Also purely a coincidence that Sachin's renaissance has also coincided with India rising to the #1 ranking. I'm sure he has nothing to do with it, and the fact he struggled from 2004-2007 and India were losing reasonably often had nothing to do with it.

Also purely a coincidence that India have hardly toured during SRT's renaissance and India's rise to no. 1?

 

[Jono]

Yes, have you seen Sachin's away record?

 

[taipan1]

Yes, have you seen Sachin's away record?

Who cares? Laxman is the only one of India's "golden generation" with an average over 40 in SA.

Hence my comment that he is the only Indian batsman that worries me.

 

[kingpin]

Laxman>Any other SA batsman.....

 

[Jono]

Who cares? Laxman is the only one of India's "golden generation" with an average over 40 in SA.

Hence my comment that he is the only Indian batsman that worries me.

Oh yeah South Africa is the only place outside India that counts. I forgot about that.


Jeez, take off those rose tinted glasses for once mate. Not everything is about your country.

 

[taipan1]

Oh yeah South Africa is the only place outside India that counts. I forgot about that.


Jeez, take off those rose tinted glasses for once mate. Not everything is about your country.

Well if you read the recent threads?

Come off it. Virtually everything here is about India.

 

[Jono]

But that's because this thread IS about India, and Indian batsmen. There is a specific thread about India vs. South Africa, if you want to discuss Sachin's record in SA threre, go ahead.

 

[taipan1]

But that's because this thread IS about India, and Indian batsmen. There is a specific thread about India vs. South Africa, if you want to discuss Sachin's record in SA threre, go ahead.

Poor comeback.

Does Laxman have the best average in SA or not?

Are only Indians allowed to discuss Indian batsmen?

 

[Matt79]

True but I get the feeling over the last few years Sachin has been riding on the strong starts both Sehwag and Gambhir have given India and a lot of his big scores were followed after a big score from these 2.

Can't agree with that.

 

[Jono]

Come back to what?

Yes Laxman has the best average there.

If you're debating Laxman vs. Sachin as in averages in South Africa (which I guess you are doing) then fair enough.

I was talking about Tendulkar's overall away record when you first said 'no tours'. You should have been more direct and said 'tour to South Africa'.

 

[Matt79]

I think the fact that both SA and Australia have found that Laxman in particular gas regularly stood up in matches against them should add to his case for greatness. For much of his career, they've been the best bowling teams.

 

[taipan1]

Come back to what?

Yes Laxman has the best average there.

If you're debating Laxman vs. Sachin as in averages in South Africa (which I guess you are doing) then fair enough.

I was talking about Tendulkar's overall away record when you first said 'no tours'. You should have been more direct and said 'tour to South Africa'.

Back to the future.

My original comment related to SRT's recent renaissance as compared to India's lack of sigificant away tours in that period.

Do you disagree?

 

[taipan1]

I think the fact that both SA and India have found that Laxman in particular gas regularly stood up in matches against them should add to his case for greatness. For much of his career, they've been the best bowling teams.

I think you might mean Aus instead of India.