Laxman fulfils childhood dream

Vangipurappu Laxman was thrilled after he fulfilled his childhood dream of scoring a Test century in the West Indies.

The 27-year-old batsman slammed an unbeaten 124 on Saturday to take India to 462 for six on the second day of the fourth Test, sharing a record 205-run unbroken stand for the seventh wicket with Ajay Ratra (93 not out).

"It was always my dream to score a hundred in the West Indies," Laxman said. "I'm really thrilled that I achieved it."

It was Laxman's third Test century, following his 167 in Sydney two years ago and an Indian record 281 in Calcutta last year which inspired his country to pull off a stunning 2-1 home series win over Australia.

"Any century is very important. This is my third and luckily all of them have been good," Laxman said.

India were struggling at 257 for six, having lost three wickets for 24 runs, when Laxman and wicketkeeper Ratra came together and the pair batted through the day.

"The most important thing was to stay at the crease because the situation we were in, in the morning demanded me and Ajay to preserve wickets," Laxman said.

"On top of that, the West Indies were bowling well -- good line and length, not giving us easy deliveries to score off."

It was Laxman's fourth score in excess of 50 in the series.

MATTER OF TIME

He struck 69 in the first drawn Test in Georgetown before hitting half-centuries in both innings in Trinidad to clinch the man-of-the-match award as India won by 37 runs to register their first win in the Caribbean for more than 26 years.

"I thought right from the start of the tour I was batting well," Laxman said.

"It was just a matter of time. Once I was set, I thought I wouldn't throw it away this time. The first two Test matches I was disappointed getting out after crossing 50, but those innings gave me confidence that I'll get a big score."

The Hyderabad batsman heaped praise on Ratra, who made his debut in Trinidad.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper was almost left out of this Test after scores of 0, 2, 1 and 13 in his first two matches. But he responded with a gutsy knock under pressure to silence his critics.

"I have played with and against Ajay in domestic cricket for the last two years and I knew that he has tremendous talent," Laxman said. "At the same time he's very gutsy and very confident. So I had a lot of confidence in his ability to score.

"He played a very determined knock. He not only held up an end but played positive cricket, which was impressive."

Laxman said India's plan now was to post a huge total and bowl West Indies out twice.

"We'll try to bowl them out twice. We need to take a big first innings lead and put a lot of pressure on them. The think-tank will meet and work out a strategy for tomorrow."

West Indies won the third Test in Barbados by 10 wickets to level the series 1-1.

The fifth and final Test in Jamaica starts on May 18.

Also read: Laxman, Ratra Thwart West Indies

Mail Cricket Editor