Whether or not he is able to make it count at Adelaide, it is reasonably certain that Laxman is at the end of his career. When New Zealand comes to India in September 2012, Rohit Sharma, in all likelihood, will be India’s new number five batsman trying to fill in the vacuum left by Laxman. However, that doesn’t preempt Laxman from giving it his all in Adelaide, making it a point to show the world that in intent at least he was never found lacking. This was borne out when he was the lone Indian to reach the Adelaide Oval on January 19 at 4.30 pm in the afternoon to practice at the indoor nets of the Adelaide Oval. His preparation for Adelaide had in fact started at Perth the day after India had succumbed to a humiliating third straight defeat down under in two and a half days. He had batted for 50 long minutes under the tutelage of Duncan Fletcher with the coach telling him every moment to come forward. Laxman has been dismissed many a time this series caught at the crease and edging behind the wicket. At Adelaide he is determined to come forward to ensure he doesn’t repeat his mistake. Seeing him sweat it out at the nets in hot and sultry conditions two things are clear- failure is hurting badly and he is finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the notion that he has let his team down. Secondly, he continues to believe that there is some serious cricket still left in him and that he can walk back to a standing ovation for one final time at the Adelaide Oval.

As a fan of V V S Laxman, one of Indian cricket’s true gentlemen, one can only hope and pray that he is able to defy all odds and sign off in style. It will be fantastic to see those magic wrists come into play one more time, squeeze the ball pitched on off stump past mid on for a boundary or drive Nathan Lyon inside out through extra cover. Or perhaps the picture postcard Laxman, a middle stump ball easily flicked through square leg or caressed through the off side with the opposition left to ponder how it was at all possible? While it is easy for us to romanticise from outside the reality is far more difficult. The Australian fast bowlers are aware that Laxman is faced with the most difficult challenge of his life and age, more than anything, is aligned against him. His reflexes aren’t the same and his confidence is at an all time low. They know he is perhaps playing his last game and are aware that he will be extremely tentative at the start of his innings. They have bowled excellently to him all through the series, have managed to keep him quiet and not give him easy runs. They know they can’t allow him to get off to a start for he can then lead an Indian resurgence at Adelaide. This is what makes sport the most endearing of all activities. A legend in a tight corner faced with a hostile bowling attack trying for one final hurrah. Miracles do happen in sport. We continue to hope it happens for Laxman at Adelaide.