'We were aggressive at Centurion'

Laxman rates Indias win in Durban as one of the teams best overseas

After wiping the floor in the first Test in Centurion which they lost by an innings, the Indians routed South Africa on a pacy, bouncy Kingsmead strip by 87 runs to square the series 1-1.

“We were very disappointed at not playing to the best of our abilities in Centurion, though the wicket was not ideal for batting on the first day because of the rain and it being soft and damp,” Laxman said on Thursday.

“Coming into this Test, we were very, very upset about what happened in the Centurion. That was a motivation. Also, the aggression was more in this Test match than in Centurion. As a fielding and bowling unit, on the second day we were more aggressive -- that was lacking in Centurion and that’s something we discussed coming into this Test.

“The turning point was the way our bowlers bowled on the second day. Though getting to 205 was a reasonable achievement in our first innings, one partnership and the game would have gone away from us. The bowlers bowled with intent, the fielders backed them up with some extraordinary catching and the body language was very aggressive.

That was the difference between Centurion and here.” This win, the Hyderabadi added, was up there with some of India’s best wins overseas. “When you beat South Africa in supposedly the quickest and bounciest wicket in South Africa, it gives you that much additional joy.

“Everyone talks about Durban being a place where South Africa usually puts the opposition under pressure, even though recent results haven’t gone their way. But from the challenge of playing in South Africa, the Durban wicket is the most challenging one. In these conditions, if you can beat them, it gives a lot of satisfaction to all of us.

“Their pace bowling attack is one of the best in the world, the conditions were ideal for them, with the seam and the bounce which we are not used to. If you do well, you feel much more contented. Test cricket is all about challenging your skills and your temperament. This Durban pitch is one of the most challenging I’ve played on in my career.”

To be recognised by his colleagues as a big contributor in winning causes was one of his greatest delights, Laxman revealed.

“You always play to win matches for the country, you want to be remembered as someone who has contributed to winning matches for the country,” he noted. “The biggest recognition is when your team-mates feel you can bail the team out of a tough situation, and that feels great. Even the opposition feels you can not take it granted that the match is over. It gives you a lot of satisfaction that you have delivered in such situation. It also gives an added responsibility that you have to go and do it. That’s why you play for the country.”