Laxman retires from international cricket
August 18, 2012 12:43:38 UK
India batsman VVS Laxman has announced his retirement from the international game with immediate effect.
VVS Laxman says the time is right to retire.The 37-year-old had been selected for the first Test against New Zealand, which starts on 23rd August in his home town of Hyderabad.
There had been speculation he would retire after the two-match series, but he has opted instead to step back now after an international career spanning 16 years.
"I am retiring with immediate effect. I think this is the right time to move on," he confirmed.
The decision to select the right-hander for the New Zealand series had been questioned by Indian commentators following a recent poor run of form. India are 1.001 to win the first Test, while the tourists can be backed at 1.001. A draw is available at 1.001.
I think this is the right time to move on.
VVS Laxman
Laxman made his Test debut in 1996 against South Africa but didn't score his first century until 2000, a 167 against Australia.
He got his highest score of 281 at Kolkata in an extraordinary win over Australia in March 2001, sharing a record partnership of 376 with Rahul Dravid.
He made 8,781 Test runs in his international Test career at an average of 45.97 and 2,338 one-day runs at an average of 30.76.
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