The curious case of 2 stars

Ironical as it may seem, two of the country8217;s seniormost cricketers, VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar made their international debuts in precisely the same series...

Ironical as it may seem, two of the country8217;s seniormost cricketers, VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar made their international debuts in precisely the same series 8212; the Pepsi Cup triangular, also involving Australia and Zimbabwe.

That was in the year 1998. From then on, even as they progressed in their respective careers, Laxman went on to be recognised as one of the classiest batsmen in the world who gave none other than Steve Waugh8217;s Australians more than a few sleepless nights, while Agarkar remained the perennial underrated performer, at the most India8217;s workhorse. As luck would have it though, it was Agarkar who, despite not being foreseen as India8217;s next big talent, played two World Cups and now readies himself for the third.

Laxman, on the other hand, will hang up his boots some day, without achieving this dream. The two cannot be compared, simply because one is essentially a batsman and the other a bowler. But given the class Laxman exuded and the opportunities Agarkar missed, the story is simply about two individuals who defied the simplest of cricketing logic.

K. SHRINIWAS RAO spoke to the two to reflect on their contribution over the years, at a time when India was still keeping its fingers crossed about who would make it to the World Cup and who would miss out.

AJIT AGARKAR

Statistics don8217;t tell a thing

Ajit Agarkar hates the word 8216;statistics8217;. He thinks his career has been judged more on the basis of numbers 8212; in terms of wickets and runs 8212; than his performance itself.

Statistics alone can end this argument given the fact that he has 270 wickets from 178 matches, nine four-wicket hauls, two five-wicket hauls, an economy rate of 5.05 and a bowling average of 27.41. But sadly for Agarkar, his non-performance with the bat, especially the way he has always been looked upon.

Seven consecutive ducks 8212; he hates to remember them 8212; have stuck on like nothing else in Agarkar8217;s case. So much so that if one has to count out Kapil and Javagal Srinath, the Mumbai bowler stands to be the third-longest serving medium-pacer in terms of matches and wickets. 8220;Statistics don8217;t tell a thing,8217;8217; he says. Agarkar, once again if statistics are to be read out, has two other distinctions to his credit. He holds the record for the fastest first 50 wickets in one-day cricket and also for as many as nine comebacks to the national side. 8220;There was a time when I had almost gotten used to being picked and dropped,8217;8217; he says.

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Given that he doesn8217;t believe in statistics, he wouldn8217;t like to remember the finer aspects of it too. 8220;One can easily say that I have not contributed with the bat. But again, one also needs to look into the circumstances when I8217;ve walked out. They haven8217;t been the best and provided enough time to settle down,8217;8217; Agarkar argues.

He is looking forward to the West Indies trip and has now been selected in the World Cup squad. There are a few new things about one-day cricket that intrigue him. 8220;Power Plays put a lot of restrictions. Batsmen have the best technological methods to study your bowling. One-day cricket is fast becoming a format where the first 15-20 overs have a major say in a 50-over match,8217;8217; he says as a matter of fact. 8220;I8217;m really not interested in talk. I believe in working hard and have done that.8221;

VVS LAXMAN

All but the World Cup

IF one were to scan the record books for great batsmen in world cricket, VVS Laxman8217;s mention would probably be on that rare page where he, despite being acknowledged as one among the best, never represented his country in the World Cup.

It is difficult to find another example as regretful as that of this stylish Hyderabadi. For the connoisseur, he was meant to be the sight for the gods. For mere mortals, in this case, the caretakers of Indian cricket, Laxman was just another Test batsman who was never found fit to play the shorter version of the game at its highest level.

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8220;I8217;m over with the constant feeling of not making it. But it hurts me a lot. Not playing the World Cup for India makes me very sad,8217;8217; he says in mourning. He8217;s been in this state now for four years since the last big tournament in South Africa. And unless one8217;s willing to change the topic, Laxman doesn8217;t have anything to answer. 8220;This was my last chance and I thought I would get an opportunity,8217;8217; he feels.

Laxman has been often given to understand that he8217;s not among the fittest. 8220;I would like to say I8217;m fit,8217;8217; he strikes back. Being called to South Africa to play the last ODI as a replacement to Dravid raised hopes. 8220;The call gave me a feeling that I was very much in the scheme of things,8217;8217; he says in hindsight. Whatever the glimmer, between 2003 and 2007, little has changed in the way he8217;s been looked upon by the wise men.

The fact, though, will always remain that he8217;s been among the greatest of our time, both on and off the field. On the field for his sublime batting and off the field, for the gentleman that he is. It is the latter part of Laxman8217;s character that allowed him to discuss India8217;s prospects in the World Cup with The Indian Express.

8220;We have a strong middle-order to bank on,8217;8217; he says generously. 8220;And the trick will be to first try and get adjusted to the conditions, there, as soon as possible.8217;8217; On the personal front, though, life cannot be more blissful for the 33-year-old who was blessed with a boy in early January.