Self-belief significant for success in Australia: Laxman

The first Test between India and Australia begins on Boxing Day at the MCG. The mind games have already begun and players are thrilled over the challenges ahead. VVS Laxman said that ‘self-belief and relentless aggression’ is the formula to succeed against the greatest Test team in the world over the last decade or so.

"Whenever we have played aggressively against Australia, we have done well. We realise that if you give the Aussies a slight inch, they tend to walk over you," Laxman was quoted as saying. The classic middle-order batsman said that India wouldn’t allow a dwindling in scrap from its players all through the four-Test series.

Raise the standardsThe batsman credits his sensation in Australia to his ability raise his game against the toughest opponents. Laxman has been Australia's prime concern as a batsman over the last decade; perhaps not any other India batsman has made such an awe-inspiring impression on the world champions in recent times.

"It's a self-belief which matters a great deal for any batsman to do well in Australia. I do believe that the present Indian team wouldn't be found out on this issue. "

"It usually happens with us against Australia. We tend to raise our game in order to match theirs,” Laxman was quoted as saying.

Props for the Champs
Laxman credited the effectiveness of the current bowling outfit that the Australians posses and said that his team will have to focus and play aggressive cricket in order to come out on top of the mighty hosts. Australia has not a Test series at home since way back in ‘92

"It's been a good bowling attack for Australia. Tait, Lee, Johnson and Clark, to go with Brad Hogg, are all match-winning bowlers. It's a good attack for them even if Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne are not around." Laxman could bat at number three in the first Test, a situation he is ready for the Test series.

Praise from the AussiesThe Australians have also come out and admired the ‘very very special’ batsman, saying that they have not figured out how to cope with the exclusive batsmanship of VVS Laxman.

“I played with him (Laxman) for Lancashire and am of the strong believer that he is superb player,” former Australian international Stuart Law was quoted as saying.