Time to go,says the magician of wristy elegance

Laxman doesnt wait for the Tests,retires from international cricket.

Wrists tucked well within the long cuffs of a sharp pin-striped suit,VVS Laxman held son Sarvajit with one hand and daughter Achinta with the other on the sprawling outfield of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. In just a few days from now,five to be precise,on this very same ground,those hands were expected to form perfect catching cups at first slip or grace the rubber handle of his willow with firm precision. On Saturday,however,the molten-flex pair of wrists trembled and dry palms turned sweaty as he used them to pick up a piece of paper and a microphone,and called time on an enthralling 16-year international career instead.

I would like to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, Laxman said in front of his emotional family and proud colleagues from the Hyderabad Cricket Association. In one statement,Laxman,37,quelled all rumours of his plans to retire after the two-Test series against New Zealand,the first of which is to be played at his home ground. And just like that,he also ensured that his bond with best mate Rahul Dravid went well beyond the boundary,as the pair that once forged many career-defining partnerships on the pitch and took several vital catches at slips also ended up playing their respective final Tests together in retrospectthe 298-run loss to Australia in Adelaide,January 2012.

I always kept my countrys success and needs ahead of my personal aspirations, he said. The eight consecutive losses in away Tests had rankled through the system,forcing the selectors beyond the legends for the future. Laxman,like Dravid,got the message and decided that persistence was perhaps pointless. I would have loved to play against England and Australia later this season. But it is the right time to give a chance to the countrys youngsters in home conditions,well ahead of overseas assignments next year, he added.

Theres a hint of irony to Laxmans retirement,considering that on the field,he hardly ever let go of a second chance. The humble man from Hyderabad made a career out of being Indias finest crisis-man in its glory daysresurrecting lost causes and turning dire situations around in the second innings. Right from his first (167 in Sydney),to his most famous (281 in Kolkata) to his most perseverant (154* in Napier) to his most important (96 in Durban) to the most painful (73 in Mohali),the outstanding knocks have all occurred in the second essay of a Test. So it makes utmost sense when he says: I cannot single out one innings,or rate one over the other. I have played many important matches,and I cherish the opportunity of having contributed in those.

Laxman never did have the big career numbers8,781 runs and 17 centuries fade in comparison to a Tendulkar or a Dravid nor did his creed make stats-men go tizzy. Yet,he walked right in to the pantheons of modern greats,with a golden heart that believed in a cause and a pair of wrists to help. And that,like a few special Hyderabadis before him,he did with incredible style.

With Laxman,it is his mould that will be remembered most,and the moments he created with itjumping out to Shane Warne in Kolkata and cover-driving him inside-out constantly when following-on on a patchy wicket; using his clay-like forearms to flick (and not cut) Dale Steyn through point on a grassy fresh Kingsmead track; and inspiring Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha to bat better than the regular batsmen in Mohali and turn yet another certain defeat into joyous victory against the Aussies,all while suffering severe back spasms.

For a person of his ilk,style always came with a statement. There is no hollow vanity,not even when taking one last bow. My conscience is clear. I do not and will not in the future regret my decision to call it time on my career, he said,reminiscent of that majestic gait back to the pavillion on his dismissal. I have been very fortunate to have represented India for 16 years,and now it is time to go.