VVS Laxman Special: The art of a retirement

Tags: Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman, Cricwaves Columns

Published on: Aug 19, 2012

Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman’s (VVS as he is fondly called) decision to retire from international cricket has surprised many, coming as it did less than a week before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand begins.

Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman’s (VVS as he is fondly called) decision to retire from international cricket has surprised many, coming as it did less than a week before India’s two-Test series against New Zealand begins. Being so, many may question the timing of the timing of Laxman’s decision. However, it is a fact that there is no such thing as a perfect time for a sportsman to retire, just like there is noperfect time for a married couple to become parents.

As VVS admitted at the press conference, his inner conscience was telling him his time was up, and just listened to the same. The stylish Hyderabadi isn’t the first sportsperson to experience such feeling, and won’t be the last. As such, we shouldn’t question the timing of Laxman’s retirement, but admire him with for his honesty and integrity. The man with the silken touch could have easily played on for another two Tests since he was selected for the New Zealand series. Or even better, he could have ended his glorious career at his home ground in Hyderabad, where the first Test is to be played. However, when a player knows deep down inside that he isn’t in the right frame of mind, he wouldn’t have been able to give it his best. For this simple reason, Laxman should be praised and not doubted.

VVS LaxmanFor any cricketer, deciding when to go must be the toughest decision in their career – Laxman too admitted the same. After all, when you play for your country day in and day out, the game becomes part of your routine, and your form a special bond with your colleagues, with whom you not only share the dressing room, but a significant chunk of your lifetime. Making a decision on whether to leave all that behind thus seems tantamount to separating the human head from the body. It wasn’t surprising at all that Laxman hadn’t made up his mind till Saturday morning, the day when he eventually called it quits.

One would never really know whether all the criticism by former players had a part of play in Laxman’s decision to hang up his boots, as a majority of the Indian media has reported. But, if it indeed is such a case, then it’s a sad occurrence. It is an open secret that Laxman is one of the most dedicated and humble cricketers to have represented the country. And, as it is always said, a great player knows when it is time to go, just as the wristy 37-year-old from Hyderabad explained while announcing his decision. For someone who served Indian cricket with great distinction for so long to be termed as selfish, and someone who was blocking the path of youngsters mush have hurt VVS for sure.

The problem with Laxman’s critics has been that he had always found a reason to ridicule the silent man of Indian cricket. Be it his fitness, lack of form orinconsistency. Don’t be surprised if they come out with swords hanging at Laxman’s decision to retire so close to the Kiwis Tests. But, the fact will remain that Laxman felt it was the right time to go, and he alone was the best judge of the situation.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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