Jason Gillespie's Unorthodox Attempt to Break VVS Laxman's Concentration in Kolkata Test
Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie, renowned for his fast bowling prowess with in-swingers, out-swingers, and reverse swing, once resorted to an unusual tactic during the iconic 2000/01 Kolkata Test at Eden Gardens. Facing VVS Laxman, who was crafting a marathon 284-run knock, Gillespie tried a bizarre method to disrupt the batsman's focus.
The Condor-Like Arm Flapping Incident
In a recent episode of the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, Gillespie recounted the moment. "Running into bowl in 2000/01 in Kolkata when Dravid and Laxman were scoring a stupid amount of runs against us, so I thought I would run in and flap my arms like a condor running into a ball to put VVS Laxman off," he said. Gillespie described how he executed this move, only for Laxman to calmly play the ball to the offside and run through. "He had this stupid grin on his face, and I've given him (shrugging) we have to try something, VVS," Gillespie added, highlighting the batsman's amused reaction.
Umpire's Intervention and Gillespie's Reaction
However, Gillespie's creative tactic did not go unnoticed by the officials. "I was actually told by the umpire later that you cannot actually do that because you will put the batsmen off, and then I thought, isn't that the whole point. That's the whole point of being a fast bowler, so I can put him out," Gillespie remarked in a jovial tone. This exchange sparked a broader discussion on the podcast, with fellow former fast bowling great Glenn McGrath chiming in. "So that means batters are not allowed to move around the crease because it puts the bowler off," McGrath pointed out, questioning the consistency of such rules in cricket.
Glenn McGrath's Praise for VVS Laxman
Later in the same episode, McGrath reflected on Laxman's exceptional performance in that Kolkata Test, even including him among his top five batters. Recalling Laxman's marathon partnership with Rahul Dravid, McGrath said, "That innings on pitch that was turning to hit Warnie (Shane Warne) out of rough that day...that's turning square, he basically just shimmied around, just lifted it like a straight drive over mid-wicket, he was unstoppable. He was very wristy and had a great eye." This praise underscores Laxman's skill and resilience, which made Gillespie's unorthodox tactic all the more memorable in cricket history.
The 2000/01 Kolkata Test remains etched in memory for India's remarkable comeback, with Laxman's 284 and Dravid's 180 forming a legendary partnership. Gillespie's arm-flapping episode adds a humorous and human touch to the intense rivalry, showcasing the lengths bowlers might go to in high-stakes matches. While the tactic was ultimately futile and rebuked, it highlights the psychological battles that define cricket, beyond just technical skill and physical prowess.
