Minimalist seeks maximum velocity

Instead, it8217;s based on thought and action.

8216;8216;I went through a lot of introspection and have tried to raise the bar. Emotions have never played a big role in my upbringing; now that I8217;ve learnt a few things, I try to maintain a high standard8217;8217;, he says.

Minimalist would be a more appropriate term. Minimalist, as in the fact that his drawing-room boasts not a single piece of the silverware he has won in a glittering career. 8216;8216;I like to keep things a little personal8217;8217;, he says.

Minimalist like his response when asked about an albatross-like effect of the 281 on his career. 8216;8216;Nothing.8217;8217;

Minimalist as in his approach to every innings since. 8216;8216;When I walked out to bat again in my next Test, I started from zero8217;8217;, he says. 8216;8216;And I will do so against Pakistan.8217;8217;

The good news is that Laxman feels he has learnt to enjoy the challenge of the game. Having had his share of differences not a good idea to mention the World Cup, he is now completely out of the past. 8216;8216;I had a few problems which I sorted out. It is not good to have differences of opinion within the team especially with the captain or coach. It affects the overall performance. So in a way, it is good that things have been working for me8217;8217;, he adds.

The batsman, in fact, is so much at peace with himself that even the prospect of not getting to bat at his favoured No 3 position no longer troubles him.

8216;8216;If it doesn8217;t come it is okay8217;8217;, he says. 8216;8216;At least I never had the mindset of an opener and I made that known. The number three slot has come naturally to me since my Ranji days. But at the international level, where there is so much of responsibility on an individual, you8217;ve got to adjust.8217;8217;

Former cricketers have long regarded Laxman as a future leader because of his unflappable temperament and quick thinking. Laxman himself admits he has dreamt of becoming India captain 8216;8216;but I never aspired to it. I only dreamt of it.8217;8217;What8217;s excited him is the current domestic season. 8216;8216;It8217;s been one of the best. One, all of the seniors competed; two, I could contribute in both the matches I played.8217;8217;

The Indore match will effectively mark the end of his domestic season as it gives way to the heat and dust of the Pakistan series. Laxman is aware of what he must do to make it a success. The Minimalist needs to go into Maximum Overdrive.

DULEEP TROPHY

At Indore: North Zone 4 v South Zone 0
Technically North are firm favourites here. North beat West by 9 nine wickets. While West defeated South by the same margin. That proves North wouldn8217;t have much problem overcoming South and record their second win to book a place in the final.

At Delhi: Central Zone 4 v Bangladesh 0
The mathematics is almost similar at Delhi. Central defeated East by six wickets while the latter scored a comprehensive win over Bangladesh. Keeping these results in mind Central Zone can expect a cake walk. A win here will see them enter the final.