India Australia Series

Laxman hits back at critics

Having smashed an unbeaten double ton against his old-nemesis Australia, middle order batsman VVS Laxman on Thursday hit back at his critics, saying “all doubting Thomases” should stop advising senior players about their timing of retirement.

“There are doubting Thomases outside the team and not in the team. There were all sorts of stories built up before the series in the media but we took it positively and the team got together,” he said.

“It hurts (to know you are being asked to go). We are not asking people to over respect us. But give us our due and right to decide when to go.

“Players are responsible enough to take the decision when they stop contributing to the team. After playing for the country for so long you know when to stop playing,” he added.

“I was disappointed (in earlier matches) and keen to contribute to the team. I was very happy as this contribution was important from the team’s perspective,” he said as India declared on 613 for 7 on the second day of the third Test at Ferozeshah Kotla.

“It was a very satisfying knock. I converted my 150 into a bigger score. It was a crucial innings, especially as it came against Australians. It was a big hundred which I converted instead of throwing it away,” he added.

Tags: Australia, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, India, VVS Laxman