India batting star VVS Laxman revealed that Sachin Tendulkar, who is currently one short of his 100th international century, never plays for milestone and that all his 99 centuries have come in while helping India win.
“Let me tell you having known Sachin for so many years, I know he never plays for any milestones. All of them have come in the process of him helping the team win many laurels,” Laxman said in an interview to TheHindu.
The 37-year-old admitted that Tendulkar’s 100th ton is around the corner and he wants to be part of history when Little master reaches the landmark.
“Well, it is bound to happen anytime and when it does it will be a special moment for the game itself. And, I should be privileged to be part of that piece of history when he eventually does it,” he said with a big smile.
“Honestly, we are more focused on the task ahead as a team and none of us don’t really too much importance to the records which come in the process of we giving off our best to the team’s cause,” he explained.
Laxman hopes to fulfill his dream of beating Australia in Australia and believes the current Indian team will achieve this on the forthcoming tour ‘Down Under’.
“We have won Tests there on the previous tours but not the Test series. We are well prepared for the major challenge ahead and should achieve our objective,” he pointed out.
Laxman said he is pleased to get another huge opportunity to prove a point or two against the Aussies.
“I just enjoy playing against them as I always do against the other teams. But, the big knocks against the Aussies under pressure have a special place in my career,” he explained.
Laxman reiterated that he loves the ambience when he is batting at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he has scored few centuries but said that his century at the Adelaide with Rahul Dravid was the most satisfying.
“But, let me tell you that the century at Adelaide in the company of Rahul Dravid on the 2003 tour gave me great satisfaction given the circumstances,” he said.
The middle-order batsman said the current Australian team is a nice blend of experience and youth.
“In batting they have the likes of Ricky Ponting, Captain Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey. May be, there will be a couple of new faces in bowling,” he said.
“Well, we may not have played the rookie fast bowlers like Pat Cummins (injured and to miss first two Tests against India) and James Pattinson who have done really well in recent times. But, we should be good enough to handle any bowling attack.
“A series in Australia against any line-up is always tough for anyone. So there is no question of being complacent even as Australia is in the rebuilding process. At any level, we have to give off our best and we hope to do exactly that,” he said.
The wristy batsman admitted that India are keen to regain the No.1 Test status Down Under.
“Definitely, this tour to Australia is a big one as we are very keen to regain the No. 1 Test status. The confidence and morale are very high after the series win against West Indies, which followed the disappointment in England. So we hope to carry on the momentum to ‘Down Under’,” Laxman concluded.
© Cricket Country
