How do you rate players like VVS Laxman?

[OverratedSanity]

Favourite player of all time, obviously. Would have a much better looking record if he hadn't been forced to open for such a long time. The 281 was so monumental it overshadows the several other all time great innings he played, which is why you sometimes have filthy casuals only talk about that innings when VVS is mentioned. Inb4 @Teja. mentions the three amazing innings he played in 2010 to keep India at no.1. Better player than many players from his era with higher averages.

Had flaws though. He was a much worse player of swing than people acknowledge, and if he came in with the same technique and approach in today's era, I find it hard to see him having a 45+ average.

 

[BazBall21]

Not as good as Thorpe ?

 

[BazBall21]

Favourite player of all time, obviously. Would have a much better looking record if he hadn't been forced to open for such a long time. The 281 was so monumental it overshadows the several other all time great innings he played, which is why you sometimes have filthy casuals only talk about that innings when VVS is mentioned. Inb4 @Teja. mentions the three amazing innings he played in 2010 to keep India at no.1. Better player than many players from his era with higher averages.

Had flaws though. He was a much worse player of swing than people acknowledge, and if he came in with the same technique and approach in today's era, I find it hard to see him having a 45+ average.

Agree with all of that tbf. He was special but because of that we get carried away and forget his flaws.

 

[Socerer 01]

Agree with all of that tbf. He was special but because of that we get carried away and forget his flaws.

its how it is with every retired player, especially ones you grew up watching or following

 

[Coronis]

I don’t.

 

[trundler]

I don’t.

Another terrible opinion.

 

[Coronis]

Another terrible opinion.

Another hurtful post Why are people so mean when I offer nothing but love?

 

[Flem274*]

Excellent player, probably made more interesting because the not quite greats are often more fun to support and watch.

He broke my heart in 2010 but I forgive him because he's so good.

 

[Flem274*]

Favourite player of all time, obviously. Would have a much better looking record if he hadn't been forced to open for such a long time. The 281 was so monumental it overshadows the several other all time great innings he played, which is why you sometimes have filthy casuals only talk about that innings when VVS is mentioned. Inb4 @Teja. mentions the three amazing innings he played in 2010 to keep India at no.1. Better player than many players from his era with higher averages.

Had flaws though. He was a much worse player of swing than people acknowledge, and if he came in with the same technique and approach in today's era, I find it hard to see him having a 45+ average.

He'd average less today too because I think he'd get promoted up the order since the Indian middle order currently play with toothpicks. Laxman/Pant/Jadeja/Ashwin is an excellent 5-8 though.

 

[subshakerz]

Laxman is like Mark Waugh. A player of special knocks with a misleadingly low average.

 

[Prince EWS]

Laxman is like Mark Waugh. A player of special knocks with a misleadingly low average.

I don't think Mark Waugh's average was misleading. He just looked better than he actually was, and he underachieved a bit.

Laxman's average was misleading because of the insistence he bat out of position early in his career.

 

[Prince EWS]

He'd average less today too because I think he'd get promoted up the order since the Indian middle order currently play with toothpicks. Laxman/Pant/Jadeja/Ashwin is an excellent 5-8 though.

I think they'd probably bat him at 5 ahead of Iyer. I'd sooner drop Pujara and bat him at 3 but if they won't drop Pujara for Gill they wouldn't drop him to keep Iyer either, IMO.

 

[subshakerz]

I don't think Mark Waugh's average was misleading. He just looked better than he actually was, and he underachieved a bit.

Laxman's average was misleading because of the insistence he bat out of position early in his career.

Waugh would have averaged 45 or so like Laxman if he played in the 2000s.

 

[Prince EWS]

Waugh would have averaged 45 or so like Laxman if he played in the 2000s.

Yeah I agree but "played in an era hard for batting" only makes his average misleading in the way it did for literally everyone who played then.

If Laxman didn't have to open so much he'd have averaged ~50 in the era he played in. Definitely better than Waugh.

 

[subshakerz]

Yeah I agree but "played in an era hard for batting" only makes his average misleading in the way it did for literally everyone who played then.

If Laxman didn't have to open so much he'd have averaged ~50 in the era he played in. Definitely better than Waugh.

Personally think Waugh would average higher if he played for a weaker team. He was the sort who didn't score if the stakes weren't high.

 

[honestbharani]

He was the sort who didn't score if the stakes weren't high.

So I guess the entire 2001 BG series and the live games in 98 were not high enough stakes?

 

[Coronis]

So I guess the entire 2001 BG series and the live games in 98 were not high enough stakes?

He said weren’t not were. i.e he had his best performances in important games.

 

[Ali TT]

I've never understood the fuss about Laxman, other than 2001, but then reminded myself that us England fans were never blessed with seeing him anywhere near his best.

 

[ma1978]

When Laxman bats like he did today ...

For 470 minutes over the last two days even the Feroz Shah Kotla's garish stand at the Tata End didn't look ugly. For 470 minutes, Laxman cloaked violence with grace and left Australia hopelessly spellbound | ESPN.com

www.espn.com

What a great player. Critical rol in many of India’s greatest wins

loved this article from years ago