A great article by Bret Lee on Laxman Retirement

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAXMAN ON A FANTASTIC CAREER! VVS Laxman’s retirement from international cricket is a big decision. He was one of India’s best batsmen and certainly one of the toughest opponents I have faced. Whenever Laxman played against Australia, it brought out the best in him. We have seen some exceptional innings over the years from him and he seemed to get a hundred every time he played against Australia. One innings I particularly recall is the hundred he got against Australia in 2004 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The match ended in a draw but his innings of 178 was world class. Another spectacular innings from him was the one in 2001 versus Australia at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He and Rahul Dravid batted all day and helped India win that game. I missed the tour with a broken elbow, but from what I watched on television and what I heard from the guys who played against him, they told me that it was impossible to get him out that day. I think that innings highlighted Laxman’s determination and willingness to succeed. A lesser known fact is that Laxman and I first played against each other at the Under-19 level. That was a long, long time ago and we have been friends since then. I always knew that he is going to be a class player when I watched him play during our junior days. He has a handy technique and he has this amazing ability to pull the ball off his legs for four from any angle. When you think about guys with great technique, names like Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendukar come to mind. But with a guy like Laxman, you can bowl anywhere to him and he will still hit you for runs on most days. I think that there is one quote that sums up the kind of batsman Laxman was, especially when he played against the Aussies. This is something Steve Waugh once told me and I totally agree with it. “If you get Dravid, great. If you get Sachin, brilliant. But if you get Laxman, it’s a miracle.” Laxman and I have shared a very good friendship away from the game as well. It is always good to see him when he comes to Australia and vice versa when I come to India. As I said earlier, he is a very nice guy off the field as well, apart from being a world class cricketer. Most importantly, I want to congratulate VVS Laxman on a fantastic cricketing career. It is obviously a big call when you hang up your boots as I found out over the last couple of months. This should not be a time for people, especially Indians, to feel let down that they are not going to see their hero play anymore. Instead it should be a celebration of what he has given people through his cricket. Posted by Brett Lee on 08/24 at 03:21 PM

TRIBUTE TO THE WALL

TRIBUTE TO THE WALL

It really feels sad and agonized.But the time has come for the time to move on RAHUL DRAVID Take a bow.


It all started in 1996 after the worldcup debacle.Kambli's performance there was a replacement needed and guess what who the selectors choose RAhul Dravid a gem of a person and gentleman which cricketing history has ever seen. The technically correct batsmen shots from the book. I still remember i was 12 year old when i saw the WALL coming to bat with WILLS bat in his hand. I saw him playing and i am greatful to see this guy batting and became a great fan of WALL. Later on he was dropped from ODI side which hurt me bad. But that WALL tried harder and again made sure that he is picked for ODI side.

How can i forget his first ODI against pakistan in Independence cup where all the batsmen struggled in walks Rahul dravid plays a gem of innings how can i forget his ondrive to Aaqib Javed..Unfortunately India ended in losing side.But India have rocksolid middle order batsmen.Later on When India toured SouthAfrica which was called as Safari series then in Star Sports under the dynamic captain Md Azhar.SA had good bowling line up the likes of Pollock,Fine de Villers,Donald.Dravid gets his first test century making bowlers life miserable till date.

Dravid made sure that winning Outside INdia is possible if we perform well.Later when standard bank series He hit six to donald in rain curtailed match which was treat to watch.

Having said lot of this Gentleman year by year he went strong and make bowlers life miserable and Captian agonized.
The man who was technically Correct.Those beauty on drives and Square cuts and coverdrive was the trademark for this Gentleman.

Whenever in toruble this man would rise to the occasion bring India out it.

The more i see him the more respect he builds upon. Still remember that poster which i got it from those time sportstar Magazine and i guess what i got RAHUL Dravid poster which i posted @ my room on the "WALL" who would ever imagined he wud have be nick named THE WALL.

Cricket is gentleman's game and Dravid proves it by keeping it simple in on and of the field.

Its hard to belive that he is retiring.

Some more facts only batsmen to make debut on T20 and end it on the same day by hitting 3 sixes in row.

Dravid to me one Gentleman i personally die hard core fan of this guy.

Talking abt supermacy,Legacy and not to forget Longevity which makes him MR humble superman down to earth guy a perfect Gentleman.

Thanks Rahul Dravid I was happy to see you for past 17 years in my life time and i wud say i was previliged wathcing you play and thanks god giving me such a wonderful life where i saw Legends Hope his Legacy will continue of the Field!!

You will never retire in Our hearts.WALL when retires it turns out to be monument!!!


As SAId RAHUL DRAVID WELL LEFT

True
Hardcore FAN of RAHUL DRAVID

urs Truly
THE WALL FAN

900th Apperance for the Good old Giggsy and India Qualify for London Olympics 2012

In 1991, A boy scored his debut goal vs Norwich. 20 years later, In 2012, A Legend Scores a winner vs Norwich.The name says it all Welsh player so much respect to this player every time i see him play for the Manchester United.900 appearance take a bow a goal in dying minutes to save the Red Devils from 5 points deficit.Still keeping in hunt for the title race.Not to forget the other oldie Paul scholes 7 minute opener..Its treat to watch all the seniors players at their best..but not on the other side of the game what is called Cricket where players are struggling:(:(. And what a game we had the dream run continues in Hockey.. Just was treat to watch that 8-1 thrash in finals for the qualifiers for Olympics 2012.Sandeep singh shares the Honours and not so good news for if your a cricket fan..Its end to the road of CB Seris Final.We were knocked out in all the departments in OZ.

Lets Hope Indian Hockey team to win the London Olympics 2012 Gold Medal and Manchester United to continue the winning streak and a game against the City will decide the Winners of EPL:):) GGMU:):)

Happy New Year Folks across the Globe

First post of the year 2012..i Know its bit late..better late than never. A very Happy n Prosperous New year to all my bloggers across the globe.Hope for great year beginning on the personal side as well as professional side.
Seems like today will be the first match of year for Red devils against the new castle united. After having drawn with them in the first round.Now its time to settle the score and payback in style. And if your cricket freak not a good day at all Indian bowlers thrashed all over the ground. Ponting aka Punter and Witty Clarke in great form delivered their best. Seems like every Indian bowler was going for more than 100 runs.Though sachin cud try his hand.so That atleast he can reach hundred there:):) Hoping for recovery from disastrous start to the tour and Praying atleast sachin gets His 100th hundred at 100th test match at SCG:):)