
Laxman hails Eden Gardens crowd
Eden Gardens has seldom let VVS Laxman down and the stylish Indian batsman paid a rich tribute to the venue.
Laxman paid a rich tribute to the venue and its passionate crowd after scoring his 15th Test century against South Africa on Tuesday.
Eden remains a happy hunting ground for the right-hander whose career-best 281 came at the same venue against Australia in 2001.
Laxman, Dhoni put SA on backfoot
Laxman was in sublime form again on Tuesday and hit an unbeaten 143 to notch up his fourth Test century in nine appearance at Eden Gardens.
"It feels really good to play at Eden Gardens. I have always enjoyed playing in this ground. The people in Kolkata are always so warm and I always love coming here. I am glad that I could able to maintain the record even this time around," Laxman said after the third day's play.
Having completed 1000 runs at this venue, Laxman said, "Playing at Eden is always great feeling. It will remain very special to get 1000 runs in this venue. I was a little disappointed that I was not able to convert my fifties and sixties into hundreds. Looking at the positive side, I was able to consistently perform."
Laxman also thanked the vociferous Eden crowd for their hearty support all along.
"It's encouraging that Eden Gardens is going to be renovated. Even though not all the galleries were available, the kind of passion you could see in the spectators with every runs, or wicket (was inspiring)," he said.
"The way crowd erupted when Harbhajan (Singh) got two wickets in successive balls, it was unbelievable. The crowd and passion in Kolkata is just amazing," Laxman added.
Incidentally, Laxman's 15th Test ton came on his marriage anniversary and the batsman dedicated this to his wife and kids.
"Today is my marriage anniversary and it feels great. My wife and kids gave me a surprise yesterday by coming to Kolkata. Definitely, I would like to dedicate this to my wife.
"She has been my pillar of strength. It's tough being the wife of a cricketer because we always keep travelling. I want to dedicate this to my wife," Laxman told reporters.
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