If the ECB had somehow engineered for VVS Laxman to play for England (and wouldn’t that be something to behold?), he could expect to play two Tests a year at the home of cricket Lord’s.
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the nearest equivalent India has to Lord’s and is widely considered by players, commentators and spectators alike as one of the finest stages in the cricket playing world, and that accomplished stylist Laxman has bestrode this theatre like no other.
But since his debut in 1996, Laxman has only played 10 Tests in Kolkata. That’s just 10 Tests in 15 years instead of the 30 he would have played at Lord’s if he had been English (you see how much we wish Laxman was indeed English!).
Laxman’s figures at Eden Gardens are sensational: 1217 runs in 15 innings at an average of 110.63 with five hundreds - that is the best record of any batsman at one venue in Test cricket except for Don Bradman at Headingley and Greg Chappell at Brisbane.
The first of his hundreds at Eden was of course the never-to-be-forgotten innings of 281 in the amazing come-back-from-the-dead victory against Australia in 2001, which in the context of the match, series and opposition must rank as one of the greatest Test innings of them all.
His last three innings on the hallowed turf has seen 112 not out against Pakistan in 2007, 143 not out against South Africa last year and yesterday’s 176 not out against an outclassed West Indies bowling attack – that’s 431 runs without being dismissed once.
Given that Laxman is ascetically the best batsman playing the game today when he is in full flow – only the bearded Laxman Hashim Amla comes close – this seems to represent a compelling case for the BCCI to stage one Test per series in Kolkata.
Indeed when you consider that another great Indian stylist of recent vintage - Mohammad Azharuddin also averaged over 100 at Eden Gardens, it is worth demanding that every home Test India plays should be held at the country’s greatest cricket ground.
Where next?
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The best Indian test XI of the last 30 years
India vs Australia: 1st Test: India marks out of 10
1st Test: South Africa v Australia - South Africa marks out of 10
Cricket Heroes: Hashim Amla
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