16 November,2011 07:07 AM IST | | Agni Pandey
The cricket fraternity knows him as very, very special, but the man himself feels that Eden Gardens is very, very special for him. "Eden Gardens is always very, very special for me," VVS Laxman said after his fifth hundred at the historic venue. Laxman scored unbeaten 176. An emotional Laxman answered queries during a media interaction yesterday.
Excerpts:
On Eden Gardens:
I have always enjoyed batting at Eden Gardens. Not only batting, all the Tests I have played here, I have enjoyed. It's a great ground with great history. Even if there were not many spectators, the people of Kolkata make it special. It's a special ground for all of us. When I come here, all of you remind me of that knock in the 2001 Test. This gives me a lot of inspiration.
On his epic 281 at the same venue:
I don't rate my innings. Any knock that contributes to team's win is always good. The wicket is already turning and there is bounce for the bowlers. Hopefully our bowlers can bowl in the right areas.
On his century which came after a gap:
It was a relief to get a hundred. The last one was against Sri Lanka at the Sara Oval (2010) where the team was under pressure. Luckily in this Test, Sehwag and Gambhir gave us a good start.u00a0
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On sacrificing his double ton:
Light was deteriorating especially after MS (Dhoni) got out. That was the reason we wanted to bowl at least 20 overs this evening. When we came in after tea, the strategy was to bat five to six overs. But after the third over, the light dropped and I passed on the message to the dressing room for a declaration.
