VVS Laxman watched the epic encounter when invincible Australian fortress the Gabba Brisbane where the team had not lost a Test since 1988 was breached. Speaking to Sports Today, the Test batting legend recalled how he shed tears watching India winning a series in Australia for the 2nd time in a row after their maiden victory in 2018-19.
India handed Australia their first Test defeat in Brisbane after 32 years. VVS Laxman revealed that he became emotional while watching it.
VVS Laxman (Photo: IANS)
VVS Laxman Wanted India To Bear Australia And Win Series After Adelaide Debacle
On January 19, 2021, the world was witness to one of the best days in India’s recent Test cricket history. When openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma came out to bat on the final day of the fourth Test in Brisbane, the odds were stacked in the hosts’ favour. Australia had not lost at Gabba in 32 years and were last defeated by West Indies in 1988.
India also missed the likes of Virat Kohli who was on paternity leave, injured Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari in the batting line-up, as the stiff target of 328 seemed far away.
But with the help of a brisk inning of 91 from Shubman Gill, a rock-solid innings of 56 from Cheteshwar Pujara, a brief cameo of 22 runs from Washington Sundar, and match-winning innings of unbeaten 89 from Rishabh Pant, the visitors picked a memorable 3-wicket win to clinch the series 2-1.
“There is no doubt about it. In fact, I became very emotional. I was watching the last day and following it along with my family. When Rishabh and Washington were batting, I got very tense myself because when you’re not playing the game, you’re not in control,” VVS Laxman said.
Shubman Gill (Image Credit: Google)
“I just wanted India to beat Australia and win the series, especially after what has happened in Adelaide and what had happened before the Gabba Test match where everyone was talking about Indians are scared of going to Brisbane where Australia hadn’t lost in a long time,” VVS Laxman added.
Shubman Gill made his Test debut on Boxing Day in the Melbourne Test in 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and in just three Tests, he has scored 259 runs at a brilliant average of 51.80 with two half-centuries besides his name. Rishabh Pant was highest run-getter for India with 274 runs averaging 68.5 in 3-Tests in recently concluded Test series against full-strength Australia.
VVS Laxman Cried For 2nd Time After 2011 When India Lifted World Cup
VVS Laxman further revealed that it was the 2nd time he cried while watching cricket – the first one was during India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win. MS Dhoni-led India won their 2nd ODI World Cup after a hiatus of 28 years.
“Twice I cried, once in 2011 when India lifted the World Cup because I always wanted to be part of a World Cup-winning team and I played alongside this group of players who were so close to me and they went on to realise their dream of winning the World Cup,” VVS Laxman said.
Indian players after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011-Image Credit: Twitter
“And I always wanted to beat Australia in Australia, I was not able to do that as a cricketer. I was so proud that this young Indian did that. Tears came down my eyes. Words cannot express what a wonderful, inspirational achievement not only for cricket but for the entire country,” the former India batsman added.
India will now gear up for a four-match Test series at home against England. India and England will also play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is after the conclusion of 4 Tests.
Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh were some of the prominent members of 2011 World Cup squad.
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