Hyderabad/Mumbai, Aug 18 (IBNS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said cricket fans and the game itself will miss batsman VVS Laxman, who retired from international cricket on Saturday.
In a statement, BCCI President N. Srinivasan said: "Indian cricket-lovers, and the game of cricket itself, will miss him for the elegance and grace that he epitomised, on and off the field."
“Not many batsmen made batting look as easy as VVS Laxman. He was an exceptional cricketer, who excelled in pressure situations."
"The classic innings that he essayed in crisis situations shaped the history of Indian cricket, none more so than the 281 against Australia at Kolkata in March 2001," he said.
"If a cricketer’s greatness is to be measured in terms of his performances against the best opposition of his time, then Laxman stands right at the top. His record against Australia, the world’s no. 1 team for the better part of his career, speaks for itself," Srinivasan said.
"On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to wish VVS Laxman all the best for the future,” he said.
Laxman on Saturday announced his retirment from international cricket after playing for about 16 years.
"I was fortunate to play in an era when Indian cricket team played its best matches," said Laxman who has played 134 Test matches and 86 ODIs for India.
He said his cricketing career was an emotional journey he will forever cherish.
Laxman, who bats right-handed and occasionally bowls off-spin, thanked his parents, wife, friends and cricket officials for supporting him all through his career.
He was out of form of late.
He will not play the second Test match against New Zealand.
