VVS Laxman, who won many a match for India with his lazy elegance including an epic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing down the curtains on a glorious career spanning 16 years.
"I was the one who suggested that we should go back home immediately because it was clear it was one-sided and it was not fair but Anil (Kumble) showed great leadership qualities and managed everything," Laxman said during the launch of his book '281 and Beyond' in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Laxman Singh, younger brother of Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, officially returned to the Congress fold at party headquarters in New Delhi.
VVS Laxman said he was enjoying being one of the senior players after steadying India on the fourth day of the third Test against West Indies on Sunday.
Several former players, including India's Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman, on Thursday said that the turning Motera pitch, on which India defeated England by 10 wickets inside two days, was not ideal for Test cricket, an opinion that was not shared by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
Obviously, Twitter was abuzz and #HappyBirthdayDravid was the top trending topic.
Playing at Eden Gardens is a great feeling, and getting 1000 runs at the venue will always remain special," said the ace batsman, after his fluent knock of 143 helped India pile a mammoth 643 for six declared in their first innings on Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa.
Gambhir emphasised the rarity and significance of reaching such a state.
Amid the furore over water being being used to maintain cricket pitches for IPL games in drought-hit Maharashtra, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman said shifting matches is not a solution for what is now a national problem. "I don't think that it is a solution. You have to find out the root cause of the main problem. As I mentioned, it's been bad as far as monsoon are concerned. It's not only a problem in one state but throughout the country. So, shifting from Mumbai will not be a real solution," he told reporters in Hyderabad at an event. Asserting that shortage of water is a fallout of global warming and climate change, Laxman said it is a phenomenon that affects the whole country. "Identify the root cause and I am sure the government is looking into it and the necessary departments have to take all the precautions so that it does not happen. Because, this is going to be a problem. We have seen so much of global warming. "One of the major effects is climate change which indirectly will affect the water. We have seen that in the past. It affects the country, not one or two cities," Laxman said.
The Hyderabad batting ace said the team is looking forward to Sachin Tendulkar scoring his record 35th Test hundred.
One of the slain Maoists was identified as DVCM Laxman Atram alias Vishal Atram, incharge of Tipagad Dalam.
New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor joined a host of former and current Indian cricketers in paying tributes to VVS Laxman who retired from international cricket, saying that India would find it difficult to get a replacement of his calibre.
An elated VVS Laxman is confident of making it to the final XI of the World team.
The Hyderabadi also backed Sourav Ganguly to make a strong comeback with the bat.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's intense and innovative pre-tour training against short-pitched balls at the Thane Stadium contributed to his unbeaten 90 in Perth
Mumbai schoolgirl Siddhali Shetye also scored a major upset, beating Saheli Barua in the Commonwealth chess championship.
Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has paid tribute to Indian veteran VVS Laxman, who recently retired from international cricket, saying that the game will be poorer without one of the finest players of this generation.
Team physio Andrew Leipus said although the knee injury has not healed completely, the batsman would have no problems playing in Sunday's final against Sri Lanka.
Fadnavis paid tribute at his official residence 'Varsha' to the revered artist.
India batsman VVS Laxman announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, despite his selection for the two-Test series against New Zealand.
The 39 year-old has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20Is for South Africa with a total of 544 international wickets.
Simon Doull lambasted Indian batters for their poor batting performance against spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips during the second Test
Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Tuesday denied undermining the authority of VVS Laxman, his captain at Deccan Chargers, but maintained that the Indian lacks aggression.
Kumble said it was surprising to see Vijaykumar not being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and backed the Karnataka bowler to do well.
India's chief selector was also critical about Laxman's fitness.
The stylish right-hander will play for the county club for the second half of the season as a replacement for Australia's Brad Hodge.
Ganesh Chaturthi is here and everyone from Sachin Tendulkar to Ajinkya Rahane and Harbhajan Singh took to Twitter to extend their greetings to fans and followers on the auspicious occasion.
Sachin Tendulkar feels that VVS Laxman's void in the Indian team will be difficult to fulfill and he will miss the Hyderabadi stylist who announced his retirement with immediate effect.
The Hyderabadi's performance in Sri Lanka was far better that of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. He scored 215 runs in six innings @ 48.53, inclusive of two half-centuries.
'He was brusque and abrasive, highly opinionated and rigid in his thinking. His man-management skills were non-existent. He quickly sowed further seeds of discontent in an already diffident team...I will always respect Greg Chappell the batsman. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Greg Chappell the coach'
VVS Laxman smashed 109 and Rahul Dravid a watchful 53 to guide India to 216 for three at stumps on day two of the second Test.
The Australians found it difficult to breach VVS Laxman's defence during his playing days but on the same soil, it was Narendra Modi's speech that 'bowled' him over and he is confident that young India will achieve success under the Prime Minister's able leadership.
Purani Dilli stars Ishant, Pant gear up for inaugural edition of Delhi Premier League
VVS Laxman has been Australia's bugbear for quite a while and the classical middle order batsman prescribes self-belief with relentless aggression as the formula to succeed against the world champions.
It was jelly beans four years ago and it is Vaseline this time as a controversy erupted in the second India-England Test here when VVS Laxman was accused of using it on his bat to manipulate the Hot-Spot technology in the Decision Review System.
VVS Laxman returned to the top 20 of the ICC Rankings for the first time in three years after his scintillating performance against Pakistan in the first Test in Delhi
VVS Laxman substituted grit for flair as he helped India recover to 228 for six against Pakistan in the first Test.
"I feel honoured as I have been bestowed with one of the most prestigious awards. It is indeed satisfying that my achievements while playing for the country have been rewarded. The biggest honour, however, is the opportunity to represent my country for so many years," said Laxman after the announcement was made.
