VVS Laxman reveals the key to success in big games

VVS Laxman, known for being one of the better batsmen to have played for India now juggles the various roles of a cricket commentator, analyst and also that of a philanthropist through the VVS Foundation that works towards bettering the lives of underprivileged children.

Being a keen observer of the game, VVS emphasized on the preparation that he went through for a big game, especially against the Australians who he has a history to remember with. And as much as we’ve seen with the mighty Aussies over a year, they like to indulge in mental disintegration and mind games. Laxman hints that to win the mind battles, the key is to be strong mentally.

“Visualisation is very important. I always believe one has to visualise before a big match. I used to prepare myself mentally. When you are in good form, all the good shots, the crowd chanting your name and the appreciation of your teammates, plays in your mind. But when your form is bad, then you feel you have knicked the first ball to the keeper or that the ball has rattled the timber. That is the time, you should immediately snap and get out of that. Mental toughness is the key to success,” Laxman said.

In fact, VVS stated that at the start of his career he felt he was technically sound, but over the years he developed the ability to adapt and modify his technique against different oppositions. He stressed that this ability came from being psychologically strong.

“As I began to play more matches, I was not that rigid in my technique and it would change. But I could play all my shots because of strong mental toughness,” he further added.

Sledging: should we? 

While the Indians were never really known to be a team that indulges in verbal volleys earlier, the modern Indian cricket team does not hesitate in giving it back, both with the bat and ball as well as with words. Laxman carries a different opinion on the matter.

“It depends on the individual. The players sledged me but I looked straight into their eye without saying a word and my bat did the talking. Even Sachin Tendulkar had many run-ins with Glenn McGrath. He would simply stare at Glenn and did the rest with the bat. So is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. But Virat Kohli is different. He shows it with his aggressive posture,” said the 42-year old.