Having been ignored from India's one-day cricket squadfor the last two tournaments, stylish batsman V.V.S. Laxman is determined tofight his way back into the team by working on his game and fitness.
"It's off-season and two-and-half months is enoughto work on my fitness and game. I will use it for that," Laxman, who hasagreed to be the brand ambassador for the Association for Cricket for Blind inIndia, said in the Capital.
Laxman, whose last ODI assignment was the BCCI PlatinumJubilee match against Pakistan at Kolkata in November where he made 43 off 44balls, was left out of the ODI team for the series against Bangladesh inDecember and against Pakistan this month.
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"It is disappointing, definitely. That is becauseI have won matches for India. It's difficult for me that I am not in the ODIteam. Hopefully I'll come back," the Hyderabad batsman, who scored 107against Pakistan in the fifth and last ODI in Lahore last year, said.
When asked why was he being kept out of the shorterversion of the game, Laxman said "I always go with the mindset to win thematch for the country. You should ask the selectors about it".
Laxman also supported struggling Indian captain Saurav Ganguly, who made only 48runs in the last three Tests and 31 runs in four ODIs against Pakistan.
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"Players go through such rough patches and theyalso overcome them. Saurav will come back too," he said.
The 31-year-old also spoke in favour of a foreignreplacement after John Wright ended his tenure as coach. "Wright had agreat impact on the Indian team and I don't see any reason why a foreign coachcan't be brought in again," he said.
Regarding his role as the ACBI brand ambassador, hesaid "It is not yet finalised...But I'll spread awareness about this kindof cricket," Laxman said adding that it was a great feeling to be a part ofthe noble cause.
"They are exhibiting a huge fighting spirit, wehave to take inspiration from them," he said congratulating the Indian blindteam which won the first match against Pakistan.
Laxman appreciated the organisers' decision to make theseries an annual affair but said it was "not a revenge series".
PTI
