While the Indian pace bowling has started getting reputation all over the world in the last few years, former Indian batsman VVS Laxman gives the credit to Javagal Srinath. According to Laxman, Srinath ‘triggered a revolution in Indian pace bowling’.
Laxman’s tribute to Srinath
Indian spinners have always earned respect even from the deadliest batsmen. The last few years have seen them fearing Virat Kohli’s pace bowling attack. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav have changed the dimension and Indians have started winning matches based on pace bowling. Their consistent wicket-taking ability has amazed one and all. In fact, the spinners have to take a backseat in some of the matches. But former cricketer VVS Laxman believes that the revolution in Indian pace bowling was first brought by the legendary Javagal Srinath.
Srinath made his international debut against Pakistan in October 1991 and went on to feature for India in 67 Tests and 229 ODIs in which he took 236 and 315 wickets respectively. Laxman shared a tweet remembering Srinath’s contribution to pace bowling, “A tearaway fast bowler from a relative cricketing outpost of Mysore, he triggered a revolution in Indian pace bowling. Even in most unhelpful conditions, he always responded to the team’s needs with unflinching zeal. Sri’s strength was his hunger to perform under adverse conditions.”
On Tendulkar, Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid
Apart from Srinath Laxman has paid tributes to some of his colleagues and friends earlier. He has shared his thoughts about Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble so far. On Tendulkar, he said, “His trail-blazing career is the stuff legends are made of,but even more endearing is his commitment, passion & respect for the game that made him what he is. Staying grounded despite the adulation he received is a remarkable quality, one of the hallmarks of his greatness.”
Regarding Kumble, Laxman wrote: “A giant in every sense, he rose above and beyond the call of duty. The grit, drive and bravery displayed through this picture is quintessential Anil Kumble. Never giving up, no matter what, was a trait which made Anil the cricketer he became.”
Former team captain and current BCCI president empowered youngsters always according to Laxman. “Unconventional and fiercely proud, Sourav Ganguly wore his heart on his sleeve. And, sometimes, bared it too! Empowering youngsters who went on to do wonders for the country was credit to his great leadership qualities.”
The Very Very special batsman called his friend Dravid ‘the ultimate team man’. “The game’s most committed student, Rahul was the ultimate team man, responding to every challenge with complete dedication. Despite being in a position to say ‘no’, he not only kept wicket in white-ball cricket and opened the batting in Tests, but did so with utmost diligence.”
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