Former Indian batsman, VVS Laxman has started a new trend on microblogging website Twitter where he pays tribute to his former teammates who have left an influence on him. Laxman had started this initiative on May 30 when he first informed his fans and followers about it.
Laxman had said that in the coming days, he would share the lessons he learnt from those few cricketers who really inspired him during his playing days.
“I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have played alongside men who inspired through their deeds. There are lessons to be learnt, like I did, from the way they carried themselves. Over the next few days, I’ll be paying tribute to teammates who influenced me immensely,” Laxman had tweeted.
I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have played alongside men who inspired through their deeds. There are lessons to be learnt, like I did, from the way they carried themselves. Over the next few days, I’ll be paying tribute to teammates who influenced me immensely
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) May 30, 2020
In the tweet thread, VVS has paid tributes to cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and MS Dhoni. Following the trend, the latest player on Laxman’s list is former India opener Gautam Gambhir.
Laxman showered praiseworthy comments on Gambhir saying that the Delhi-born cricketer never shied away from taking a challenge on a cricket field.
“Massively inquisitive and totally obsessed with the game, Gautam Gambhir never shied away from a challenge on a cricket field. Whether it was taking on express pace bowlers on spicy tracks overseas or standing up for a wronged teammate, he knew not what it was to back down,” Laxman wrote on Twitter.
Massively inquisitive and totally obsessed with the game, @GautamGambhir never shied away from a challenge on a cricket field. Whether it was taking on express pace bowlers on spicy tracks overseas or standing up for a wronged teammate, he knew not what it was to back down. pic.twitter.com/RlZlGbucp1
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 11, 2020
Gambhir also responded to Laxman and said spending every moment with the Hyderabadi cricketer was indeed a learning experience for him. He termed Laxman as the biggest role model in the change room during his playing days.
“Tks Special, every moment spent with u was education. Our dressing room was full of role models but none bigger dan u. Another reason why u deserved a grand farewell. BTW am still curious to know why were u always perched at the silly point while I was fighting for life @ short-leg!!!” wrote Gambhir while replying on Laxman’s tweet.
Tks Special, every moment spent with u was education. Our dressing room was full of role models but none bigger dan u. Another reason why u deserved a grand farewell. BTW am still curious to know why were u always perched at silly point while I was fighting for life @ shortleg!!!
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) June 11, 2020
Gambhir debuted for India in the year 2003. He has appeared for the national team in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is in which he has amassed 4154, 5238 and 932 runs, respectively.
The former Delhi opener played vital roles in 2007 T20 World Cup where he finished as the second-highest scorer in the tournament. He had scored 227 runs in seven innings. He contributed 75 runs in the final against Pakistan which India had won.
The 38-year-old showed a similar commitment in the 2011 ODI World Cup final as well, which the ‘Men in Blue’ won by defeating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Gambhir scored 97 runs off 122 balls. The left-hander also led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles in 2012 and 2014.
