The veteran India batsman VVS Laxman announced his retirement from international cricket today, saying it was time to make way for the next generation.
"I am retiring with immediate effect. I think this is the right time to move on," the stylish middle-order batsman, who turns 38 in November, told reporters in his home city of Hyderabad.
"I have always kept the country's success ahead of personal aspirations. I think it is time to give youngsters a chance at home ahead of a tough season.
"But I would like to thank the Almighty for allowing me to live my dream of playing for India."
Laxman played 134 Tests since his debut in 1996, scoring 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97 with 17 centuries and 56 fifties.
He also scored 2,338 runs in 86 one-day internationals with six hundreds, but had not been part of India's limited-overs squad since 2006.
Laxman decided to call it a day even though he was included in the India squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand starting in front of home fans in Hyderabad on Thursday.
"Till last night I was unable to make up my mind, but in the end I listened to my inner voice and arrived at my decision to retire," he said.
"I informed the chairman of selectors [Krishnamachari Srikkanth] this morning that I am not going to continue playing for India. I also spoke to many of my teammates.
"They were surprised that I was retiring before the series. It was all very emotional."
Laxman was retained for the Kiwi matches despite failing miserably in the last two Test series in England and Australia, both of which India lost 4-0, and were dethroned as the No 1-ranked side.
He managed just 182 runs in four Tests in England at an average of 22.75 and fared even worse in Australia with 155 runs in four matches at 19.37.
"No one likes to lose, so of course it was very disappointing to lose those two series very badly," said Laxman. "But it happens in sport. Hopefully, the team will avenge those defeats this season."
Both England and Australia are due to play four Tests each in India on either side of the new year.
Laxman is best known for his majestic 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in March 2001, when India turned the tables on the world champions after being made to follow-on 274 runs behind.
When India struggled at 232 for four in the second innings and faced certain defeat, Laxman and Rahul Dravid (180) put on a match-winning partnership of 376 to help their team post 657 for seven declared.
Steve Waugh's Australians, set a target of 384 runs, folded up for 212 in their second knock, following a six-wicket haul by Harbhajan Singh, to leave India improbable victors by 171 runs.
Laxman's 10-hour masterclass, which contained 44 boundaries, is often regarded as the best match-winning innings played by an India batsman.
Laxman is the fourth senior India cricketer to retire in the last four years, leaving batting master Sachin Tendulkar the last of the veterans to hold fort in a period of transition.
Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly retired within a month of each other in 2008, and Dravid called time in March this year.
Timeline of the 'Very Very Special' Laxman
1974 Born Hyderabad, November 1.
1996, November 20 Scores a half-century on his Test debut against South Africa in Ahmedabad.
1998, April 9 Makes ODI debut against Zimbabwe in Cuttack.
2000, January 4 Scores first Test century and begins his torment of Australia with 167 in Sydney.
2001, March Produces one of the most memorable innings of all time as an epic 281 leads India to victory after they were asked to follow-on by Australia in Kolkata.
April 6 Scores his first ODI century against Australia in Margao.
2003, December Centuries in Adelaide and Sydney help India claim a 1-1 Test series draw in Australia. The Australian legend Ian Chappell calls him 'Very Very Special' Laxman.
2004, January 24 Scores highest ODI score, 131 against Zimbabwe in Adelaide.
2008, October Hits an unbeaten 200, again against Australia, in a drawn Test in Delhi.
November Plays his 100th Test in Nagpur as India win series against Australia.
2010, February Scores his fourth century in nine Tests at Eden Gardens against South Africa.
October Breaks Australian hearts again when, after India slumped to 124 for eight chasing a victory target of 216, his unbeaten 73 steers them home with a wicket in hand at Mohali.
2012, January Reports suggest Laxman is set to retire after a forgettable series in Australia both personally and for the team as India are whitewashed 4-0.
August 18 Retires from international cricket with immediate effect.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us
[ @SprtNationalUAE ]
