Australian cricketers are mostly known as the very attacking minded who are regularly involved in the tough sledging on the field, especially against the top cricketers. However, the former Indian Test specialist VVS Laxman has recently claimed that the Australian players never sledged him.
During his international career, VVS Laxman was one of the top performers against Australia and it didn’t matter about the venues. The right-handed batsman mostly produced his best performances against Australia. Playing 50 international matches against Australia, Laxman scored 3,173 runs with the average of 10 centuries. Both in his Test and ODI careers, Laxman hit his most no. of centuries against Australia.
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Recently, he had a launch of his autobiography “281 and Beyond” at Mumbai where his long-time teammate Sachin Tendulkar was also present.
When Laxman was asked in that launch how he produced the best performances against the top quality Australian sides, he replied, “The best came against Australia because of the way they approached the game. We all know they are competitive, very aggressive. I think that got the best out of me, not only me but my entire team. During that period, they were the best in the world. Australia could win at home and anywhere in the world. If any team could challenge them, apart from the 2005 Ashes when England won at home, India could, home or away. For some reason, our game went to the next level when we played them.”
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Later, the 44-year-old former Indian cricketer revealed that the Australians never sledged him. He feels that the Australians knew it wouldn’t work against him.
Also read: VVS Laxman Reveals The Best Sledgers He Came Across
Laxman added on it, “The Australians never sledged me. I think they were smart enough to know it would not work. And when I was in deep pain or insecure about my position in the team, I played my natural game and came up with my best knocks.”
