NEW DELHI, Aug 19:
Apparently incommunicado when VVS Laxman tried contacting him before announcing retirement, Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni paid rich tribute to the veteran batsman saying that his absence would be felt by the entire team.
“The whole team will miss u VVS.One of the best human being I have ever met in my life.Spent a lot of time with him while batting and Fielding and the chat would always be about the team.Will miss him whenever the team cuts cake, Personally I will really miss u LACHU BHAI,” Dhoni tweeted.
Yesterday, while announcing his immediate retirement despite being selected for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, Laxman had raised a few eyebrows by stating that he could not contact Dhoni despite trying.
“I did try to get in touch with Dhoni but as you know it’s very difficult to reach him,” Laxman had said with a smile during an emotional press conference in Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the stylish right-hander with not just cricketers but athletes from other sports lauding him.
“Thank you for all the memories VVS. Cricket World will mourn, Aussie cricket will celebrate,” tweeted tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi.
I was taken aback: Laxman’s wife on retirement
VVS Laxman’s decision to retire with immediate effect didn’t just surprise the cricketing fraternity but also shocked his better half Sailaja, who was left wondering how the veteran would do without his “first wife”.
“I was taken aback (when Laxman first conveyed his decision) because his aim was to beat Australia and England in India. So,we were expecting him to play till Australia series. It was quite a surprise,” a teary-eyed Sailaja said at the press conference in which Laxman decided call it quits from international cricket yesterday.
“But, he listened to his inner consciousness. That’s what matters more,” she added.
Did Laxman
‘retire hurt’?
The sudden announcement of retirement by VVS Laxman has sparked off a controversy amid talk that the stylish batsman was not treated well by the Cricket Board and the selection committee.
Laxman created a flutter by deciding to quit international cricket with immediate effect despite being selected in the team for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, beginning in his hometown Hyderabad from August 23.
“The BCCI President was aware of Laxman’s decision to quit before the two-Test series. He took the decision after talking to the BCCI President,” Board Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said. (PTI)
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