Laxman basks in his Very Very Special day

He gave the country an invaluable, unforgettable 281, playing against the ‘invincible’ Aussies at Kolkata’s Eden Garden in 2001. But the lanky Hyderabadi always believed the Kangaroos were beatable on their home turf. ‘‘You have to look to your strengths instead of thinking about the opposition’s strong points. We certainly have the potential to do it’’, he said before the tour.

He was among several to practice what he preached.

At Adelaide, even alongside Rahul Dravid, Laxman oozed class. His two innings are particularly praiseworthy as they came on a wicket that was unpredictable — turning, jumping and stopping.

On his dismissal on Tuesday when the going was smooth (after a quickfire 32 with 6 fours), Laxman’s maternal uncle, guide and philosopher Baba Krishna exclaimed, ‘‘Why didn’t he finish off the match? He did the same thing in Brisbane. Anyway, I’m happy he scored at a crucial time. He was really hurt when he was dropped from the World Cup. I told him it wasn’t the end of the world. ‘You have many more matches and World Cups to play. There is plenty to prove.’ And he did.’’

As a child, Baba Krishna would take him to the St John’s Cricket Foundation in Marredpally. ‘‘I was sure he would one day make it big. I had a gut feeling that he’s God’s gift to cricket.’’

Disciplined player, God-fearing, shy, humble — Laxman is all this and much more. For him, pressure is pleasure. His dream knocks emanated from tight situations. In his Test debut against South Africa, he produced a vital half-century. He fired all cylinders against the Aussies (167) in 2000. Then the magic 281.

Unfortunately, the selectors failed to repose confidence in him though he displayed class. He was dropped and then recalled – four times. And when he was recalled, he opened the Indian innings, a job he didn’t like much. ‘‘I never enjoyed this role. I’m a middle order batsman,’’ he would contend.

He was sidelined just for one failure against South Africa in the Mumbai Test. That hurt him. ‘‘We could see the anger. He wanted to let his bat do the talking,’’ recalls former Indian spinner S L Venkatapathy Raju and Hyderabad Ranji player Kanwaljit Singh.

Two centuries in a match. A triple century which almost won the Ranji Trophy title for Hyderabad. That made the national selectors sit up and recall him. This time as a middle-order batsman.

‘I’m more comfortable in this position. I’m not taking my place for granted. I will be selective in my strokes. I want to bring more honours for my country,’’ he said before leaving for Australia.

As usual, he’s keeping his word.