Pratyush said:
Laxman - the guy is one of the most gifted. No one would doubt that. It was silly for the commentators Arun Lal, Srinath(one of the poorer fielders) say Laxman should not make the one day team because of poor fielding and running between the wickets. The guy makes the runs in boundaries and his strike rate doesnt suffer. Now if only he could turn from Very Very Special to Very Very Dependable.
Absolutely.
"Bhed chaal" ("sheep walk" denoting the habit of the sheep to follow the one who takes the lead and moves in one direction) hai, this continuous criticism of Laxmans fielding, running between wickets and footwork. Some one started it and all those, who find it difficult to criticise the near-great batsman now that he has been applauded by the top cricketers in the world, have joined the cacophony.
Not that there isnt a grain of truth in the first two accusations. The point is, however, why Laxman. Isnt Ganguly the same - in fact far worse. Isnt Kumble the same - much worse. Havent most top Indian players been the same for so long.
Pakistan doesnt drop Inzy because of these since his batting makes up - more than makes up.
We should question Laxmans consistency if anything and deal with him fairly which all of us fans, media, arm-chair-critiques have failed to do.
By the way, in yesterday's challenger cup match there were two centuries. Laxman's (110 off 121 balls with 12 fours) and Uthappa's (116 in 93 balls with 19 fours and 2 sixes).
If you take away the fours and sixes. Laxman scored 62 runs(all run) in 109 deliveries - strike rate 57.8.
....and Robin Uthappa ran/scored 28 runs in 72 deliveries at a st rate of 38.9.
You can look at stats in many ways and draw your own conclusions. That Uthappa is a better stroke player and more suitable for the one day format since he deals in fours and sixes which Laxman finds more difficult to come by or that Laxman has the knack to place more deliveries for runs, through the fielders and against better attacks, better fielding sides and more precises field placings, he is more likely to deliver.
It surely tells that Laxman does run. The problem comes when a partner expects him to run like Kaif, which he cant.
Also it explains why Laxman's record is invariably better against better sides.
This is not to say that laxman should automatically find a place in the Indian ODI side but to make a plea that lets not follow the proverbial sheep and be fair to this gifted gentleman cricketer which we, Indians, have failed to do collectively.
