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Laxman not retiring soon from Test career

He may be drawing flak for his flop show in the ongoing Test series against Australia but veteran Indian batsman VVS Laxman has no plans of hanging up his boots just yet.

Contrary to reports in India and some scathing reactions by experts and former cricketers, a fellow cricketer said, “He (Laxman) is not retiring yet. The impression that he has given to us is that he would inform everyone well in advance if he is to retire.”

Laxman carried this impression of defiance to the nets on Tuesday at WACA as he strode out purposefully in the middle and had an extended batting session in the sweltering heat.

And later at the press conference India opener Gautam Gambhir also jumped to Laxman’s defence, saying, “My question is why one person? The top seven batters are equally to blame. We have failed as a unit, why then Laxman alone?

“He is a legend of Indian cricket. He has served Indian cricket for a very, very long time. There shouldn’t be anyone who would be deciding. It should be him and him alone who should do so.

“If criticism has to happen, it should happen not to one person but to the entire batting unit who have let the team down. Neither media, fans nor former cricketers would decide if he is to retire. He is still working very hard, it’s a matter of just one innings and his confidence would be back.”

Laxman has made a mere 102 runs from six innings at an average of 17 in the ongoing series. He was equally abysmal in India’s previous tour of England last summer when he made 182 runs from eight innings at an average of 22.75.

His series of failures with the bat have led to whispers in media, by “a senior board official” and reports by “informed sources” that Laxman would retire by the time the Adelaide Test begins on January 24.