It was an emotional day for the Hyderabad cricket fraternity. The pride and rejoice by their city had called it a day after a brilliant career and they could not pertain terms on the fact that he had done it during the eve of the home Test.
"I was really, very surprised by his decision; we tried our best to convince him but he had made up his mind…we have to respect the decision," aforesaid Laxman's former India teammate and presently the V.P. of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Venkatapathy Raju. "In his 16-year career, he has seen a lot of ups and downs. He has always played under pressure and must have thought enough is enough. He must have finally felt that justice was not being done," said Raju, referring to the criticism from experts across the country over Laxman's selection for the New Zealand series.
"Once the squad is announced, one should not be criticised. The selectors are there to do a job. You can criticise after a series," said Raju.
Even though the Hyderabadis rue the missed opportunity of giving their hero a fitting farewell, they look back at Laxman's numerous innings fondly. His innings of 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001 will forever remain etched in the memory of the cricket buffs.
Ironically, it was Raju's last Test for India.
"I was really, very surprised by his decision; we tried our best to convince him but he had made up his mind…we have to respect the decision," aforesaid Laxman's former India teammate and presently the V.P. of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, Venkatapathy Raju. "In his 16-year career, he has seen a lot of ups and downs. He has always played under pressure and must have thought enough is enough. He must have finally felt that justice was not being done," said Raju, referring to the criticism from experts across the country over Laxman's selection for the New Zealand series.
"Once the squad is announced, one should not be criticised. The selectors are there to do a job. You can criticise after a series," said Raju.
Even though the Hyderabadis rue the missed opportunity of giving their hero a fitting farewell, they look back at Laxman's numerous innings fondly. His innings of 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001 will forever remain etched in the memory of the cricket buffs.
Ironically, it was Raju's last Test for India.
