Dhoni is the world’s most destructive batsman: Laxman

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: February 17, 2010

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Kolkata: VVS Laxman, who scored his 15th test century in the first innings of the ongoing second test against South Africa at Eden Gardens and shared an unbeaten 259-run partnership with Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to put India in the driver’s seat, believes that Dhoni is the “most destructive” batsman in the world at the moment.

Laxman, who cracked an unbeaten 143, and Dhoni (132 not out) helped India post a mammoth 643 for six in reply to South Africa’s 296 before the hosts declared their first innings on the third day at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.

“I think he (Dhoni) is the most destructive batsman in the world at the moment. He is a like an all-rounder and is so destructive as a batsman that puts any opposition under pressure,” Laxman told reporters after the third day’s play. “You can see the body language of the bowlers whenever Dhoni gets in. They become very defensive in the way they bowl and field. We are really happy that he is coming in at number seven and doing the required job.”

Laxman, who continued his love affair with the Eden scoring his fourth hundred at the venue, was also impressed with the temperament of his skipper.

“It’s also good that he is converting those fifties into big hundreds. It’s also good that whenever he gets a hundred, he gets it in quick time. It’s great when a number seven batsman comes in and destroys the opposition,” he said. “Everyone in our team has specific role. It’s important that we play to our strength. We don’t try to copy or emulate, that’s the beauty of our team which has a unique style. But our ultimate aim is to deliver for the team.”

Laxman also praised leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who chipped in with valuable 28 as a nightwatchman, saying that it was Mishra who brought the momentum back to the side after some quick wickets.

“It was crucial in the morning as we had lost three quick wickets yesterday. Mishra really played well and got the momentum back to the side with some of his attacking shots. Then my partnership with MS (Dhoni) took the game away from South Africans. I am always happy to take the team out of a tough situation,” Laxman, who shared a 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Mishra, said.

Asked to compare the bowling attacks of Australians and South Africans, Laxman said, “It’s very difficult to compare. Both the attacks were very good. It’s always good to get runs against such quality attacks. They have got bowlers who bowl at more than 145 kmph.”

Laxman also sounded confident when asked about where the game is heading from here, saying that the Eden pitch was fast deteriorating, which is encouraging for the Indian spinners as they will get a chance to clinch the match.

“The pitch is definitely deteriorating. There will be lot of assistance for the spinners without doubt. I am sure our quality spinners will be able to exploit the condition,” Laxman said. “Any Indian track on the fourth day becomes slow. There is a lot of help for spinners which is really encouraging. Especially from the far end, there will be help for our spinners.”

“There will be a tough fight without doubt. But we are quite confident that our bowlers will do the job like they did on first day. We are not looking to finish off tomorrow. There is enough time to bowl them out,” Laxman added.

He also complimented curator Prabir Mukherjee, who had been hogging the limelight with some controversies over the pitch, for preparing a sporting wicket. “The wicket has played really true. There was really value for shots and for spinners there was help. For medium pacers also, on the first day, there was some assistance. The curator has done a tremendous job,” he said.

Asked how tough was to make a comeback after a defeat in the last Test in Nagpur and what was the team strategy, Laxman said, “We were quite positive when we went into the Test. Yes, everyone was quite disappointed with the way we lost the Test in Nagpur. We just regrouped and wanted to do the things which we have been doing in the last two years. That’s what we did. First, it was important to score a lot of runs in the first innings to put pressure on South Africa,” he said.

When quizzed about South Africans being sloppy on the field and dropping catches, which is something that is not expected of them, Laxman said, “These are part and parcel of matches. We should not take away the credit from our batters for the way they stuck in there and delivered the goods. The partnership between Gautam and Viru set us up nicely yesterday. Then Sachin and Viru dominated the bowling. We stuck to our plans and we just wanted to bat as long as possible and put pressure on South Africa. We are really happy to do that.”

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