Hyderabad, August 18
VVS Laxman, who won many a match for India with his wristy elegance including an epic 281 against Australia in Kolkata, today announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing down the curtains on a glorious career spanning 16 years.

The 37-year-old Laxman, one of the finest batsmen in contemporary cricket, said that he felt it was the right time to bid adieu to the game which he played with "great pride for the country".

"I would like to announce my retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. I think it's right time to move on", an emotional Laxman told a press conference here.

Laxman, who was picked in the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand beginning here from August 23, surprisingly chose to hang his boots with immediate effect without taking the opportunity to bow out of international cricket in front of his home crowd.

"It was a tough decision to take, I have always listened to my inner conscience. The inner voice is a divine voice, I have always done that right through my career. There was a lot of debate in the last four days. I felt this is the right time to move on", he said.

Laxman, who earned the sobriquet 'Very Very Special' for his style and flair, played 134 Tests, amassing 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97. He scored 17 hundreds and 56 half centuries in the longer format of the game.

Laxman, who was not a regular in India's ODI team, played 86 matches for an aggregate of 2338 at an average of 30.76. Unfortunately for him, he could never be a part of India's World Cup campaigns which remains one of his biggest regrets.

"I have always kept my country's success and need ahead of my personal aspirations. And while I would love contributing to the team's success, especially against England and Australia, I think this is the right to give opportunity to the youngsters in home conditions ahead of international assignments", he said.

Laxman, however, made it clear that he will continue to play for Hyderabad till this year.

"It was a dream for me to play for India since childhood and I am extremely thankful to the Almighty for giving me the opportunity to serve my country." "I always felt that through cricket I got an opportunity to serve my country. I was fortunate to play in an era when India played some of its best cricket, home as well as away." "I would like to thank everyone who guided me and encouraged me through my career." Laxman will always be remembered for the magnificent 281 he scored against Australia at the Eden Gardens in March 2001 - an innings which didn't just change the face of the match but also turned the entire series on its head.

That knock was ranked sixth in Wisden's list of 100 great Test innings in the history of the game. It was just one of the several match-winning knocks that the unassuming batsman played against the mighty Aussies at their peak.

"When I remember that knock, I feel how lucky I was to be part of history. How we changed the result of that match.

It is always emotional when I think of that knock", he said. Asked whether he had taken a hasty decision for which he will regret later, he said "I never regret the decisions I take, because my conscience is clear. I got the privilege to serve the country. I am satisfied with the decision, definitely I will never regret that I took the decision".

"I always tried to my best to give everything to the team while mantaining my dignity. There were times I am sure I did not perform well, I disappointed them but I can assure that it was not due to lack of effort. I conclude in all humility by praying to the Almighty to take and bless Indian cricket to the highest level in the world in all forms of the game." "It has been an emotional, fabulous and memorable journey which I will cherish for the rest of my life." he said. — PTI

Hyderabad, August 18
VVS Laxman feels the New Zealand Test series will be a big opportunity for the youngsters to gain confidence ahead of the overseas tours next year, as they would be playing an "inexperienced Kiwi attack".

"I stick to my belief to give opportunity to the youngsters against the inexperienced New Zealand attack. I believe this is the right time to move on as youngsters should get an opportunity to play in home conditions, keeping in mind the overseas tours next year," Laxman told the mediapersons here today after announcing his retirement with immediate effect.

"I agree that I have disappointed a lot of well wishers starting with my family. They must have wanted me to play the last Test at Hyderabad but I apologise for probably not giving them the opportunity to see me (in action) for one last time." The Hyderabadi stylist did admit that the "last four or five days were toughest in his international career".

"I have heard eminent sportspersons saying that a time comes when one gets a feeling that his/her day has come. I experienced that over the last four or five days. I have always listened to my inner conscience and that is probably the reason I chose cricket over medicine when I was 17," the veteran of 134 Tests said.

"The inner voice is a divine voice. Late until last night, I wasn't able to make up my mind but I have always given a lot of importance to team's requirements as country's interest comes ahead of personal aspirations." Laxman informed that he had communicated his decision to the selectors and the BCCI president this morning itself.

"I only communicated it to the chairman of selection committee this morning that I won't continue playing cricket. I have decided to hang my boots with immediate effect," said Laxman. — PTI

November 22, 1996
A promising beginning: On his Test debut, against South Africa in Ahmedabad, he makes a composed 51 in the second innings - one of only two half-centuries in the match - to set up India's victory in a low-scoring game

January 4, 2000
Let me entertain you: The knock that proves his international credentials. At the end of a wretched Test series for him and India, he strokes a majestic 167 off 198 balls against Australia in Sydney, his first Test century

March 13-15, 2001
Very, very special: The defining innings. Steve Waugh's Australians were relentlessly marching towards conquering the "Final Frontier" with a 274-run first innings lead in the second Test in Kolkata. His epic 281 leads an astonishing recovery and India sneak to victory by 171 runs

November 2-3, 2002
Kolkata love affair continues: With nearly five sessions to play, India are four wickets down in the second innings and still trailing by 53 runs against West Indies in Kokata. He puts on a combative 214 with Sachin Tendulkar to take India to safety

December 2003-January 2004
Another dose of trouble for Australia: Spoils Steve Waugh's farewell Test series. A backs-to-the-wall 303-run stand with Rahul Dravid sets up the famous victory in Adelaide before a dazzling 178 in Sydney.

January 3, 2008
I love Sydney: India's batting, which had struggled in the first Test, finally gets going in the controversial second Test in Sydney with a silken century from Laxman.

October 29-30, 2008
Delhi demolition: He torments Australia again with his second double-century in Tests, which helps India amass 613 in Delhi and puts them on their way to reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

February 2010
Another Eden showcase: Laxman does his bit, scoring an unbeaten 143, as India pile up 643 against South Africa to inflict a series-levelling, innings defeat on the visitors.

August 2010
Fourth-innings perfect: With India struggling at 62 for 4, chasing 257 to level the series against Sri Lanka, Laxman knocks off 103 unbeaten runs and takes India home.

December 2010
South African stunner: On a green Durban track, Laxman puts together one of the most memorable non-century innings: in the second gig Laxman crafts 96 to set South Africa a target that is beyond their reach.

November 2011
Kolkata, again: If it's Test cricket at Eden Gardens, it must be VVS Laxman. He hits 176 not out to help India on their way to an innings victory against West Indies

January 2012
A rare Australia failure: After all that success against Australia, Laxman fails to make an impression on India's 2011-12 tour there; he crosses 50 only once in four Tests. The series culminates in India's eighth straight away Test loss, leaving several questioning whether this is the end for Laxman and other senior India batsmen

New Delhi, August 18
The Cricket Board (BCCI) today paid glowing tribute to VVS Laxman, saying that his stunning knocks in crisis situations shaped the history of Indian cricket.

Laxman, who played many memorable fourth-innings knocks during a glorious 16-year-career, retired from international cricket today, leaving a big void in the Indian batting line-up.

Laxman, known for his elegant wristy shots, is the fourth Indian stalwart to retire in recent years after Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.

"Not many batsmen made batting look as easy as VVS Laxman. He was an exceptional cricketer, who excelled in pressure situations. The classic innings that he essayed in crisis situations shaped the history of Indian cricket, none more so than the 281 against Australia at Kolkata in March 2001," BCCI president N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"If a cricketer's greatness is to be measured in terms of his performances against the best opposition of his time, then Laxman stands right at the top. His record against Australia, the world's no. 1 team for the better part of his career, speaks for itself." Srinivasan said Laxman will be missed and wished him luck for future.

"Indian cricket lovers, and the game of cricket itself, will miss him for the elegance and grace that he epitomised, on and off the field. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to wish VVS Laxman all the best for the future," he said. — PTI

Hyderabad, August 18
Conjuring up mere statistics will certainly be the worst way to judge and analyse the calibre and utility of VVS Laxman as his contribution to Indian cricket for the past decade and half goes beyond that. As the 'Very Very Special' man walks into the sunset of his illustrious career, it won't be a 'wonderful afterlife' for India's next batch of Test aspirants as the bar that has been set by the Hyderabadi stylist is pretty high.

The 37-year-old Laxman was never dubbed a genius like Sachin Tendulkar neither did he possess the swagger of Virender Sehwag or the doggedness of a certain Rahul Dravid, yet he will forever remain one of the all-time greats of Indian cricket.

Laxman was the touch artist, one can never forget. The suppleness of his wrists as he played a delivery well outside his off-stump through the mid-wicket is something that a generation of cricket lovers have learned to adore.

Laxman, who announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate efffect, played 134 Tests, amassing 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97. He scored 17 centuries and 56 half centuries, many of which have gone a long way in helping India save or win a Test match.

He played in 86 ODIs for an aggregate of 2338 and average of 30.76 in the shorter format which was not his forte. His 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens is a stuff of legends and that majestic knock has now become a part of cricketing folklore.

Those who were present at the Eden Gardens on March 14, 2001, would vouch that one may not have ever seen someone repeatedly play the inside-out shot through the covers off Shane Warne with such ferocity and yet make it look so simple.

The Australian teams over the years have had the highest regard for Tendulkar but it has never been any less for Laxman, who has played some amazing knocks against them over the years.

Laxman's 148 at Adelaide in 2003-04 series came at a crucial juncture and his partnership with Rahul Dravid kept India's challenge alive and the team finally went one up in that Test series.

A teamman to the core, the smiling Hyderabadi was ever ready to stand up and be counted whenever the Indian team needed him. He was never a natural opener but yet he performed the duties against a lot of Test teams with admirable sincerity.

Some of his best knocks came at No. 3 yet his batting order always remained flexible - something he never complained about. He scored 17 centuries in 134 Tests but what figures don't point out is that he also scored 56 half centuries, many of which were significant in the final outcome.

Two such innings came late in his career where he gave a lesson or two on how to bat with tail-enders.

The first one was an unbeaten 73 against Australia at Mohali in October, 2010. Chasing 216, India were 124 for eight as Laxman added 81 runs with Ishant Sharma and then batted for good 20 nerve-wracking minutes with No 11 Pragyan Ojha to win the Test match for India. — PTI

New Delhi, August 18
Hockey Olympian Sardar Singh and cricket ace Yuvraj Singh are two of the star names who figure in the list of Arjuna Awardees finalized by the selection panel, headed by shooter Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore, here today.

Olympic silver medallist in shooting Vijay Kumar and bronze medallist in wrestling Yogeshwar Dutt have been jointly selected for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Though former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid was also a strong contender for the highest sports award, the Olympic medalists won the day, as the majority rooted for them.

Others who have been selected for the Arjuna Award are: Deepika Pallikkal (squash), P. Kashyap and Ashwani Ponnappa(badminton), Joydeep Karmarkar (shooting), Deepika Kumari and Bambaiyla Devi (both archery), Sudha Singh and Kavita Raut (athletics), Arun Kumar (kabaddi), Vikas Krishnan(boxing), Aditya S Mehta (billiards), Nar Singh Yadav , Rajendera Kumar and Geeta Phogat (wrestling), Jaspal Solanki (judo), Anuraj Singh and Onkar Singh (shooting), Sandeep Sejwal (swimming), Sonia Chanu (weightlifting) and Bimaljit Singh (wushu).

Hockey India congratulated Sardar Singh for his selection for the Arjuna Award.

HI said the 26-year-old serves as an inspiration for the young hockey players in the country, as he has been performing excellently in the recent tournaments, including the Olympics.

In the Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Delhi early this year, Sardar Singh was adjudged as the Player of the Tournament, and got a similar award in the 21st Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia and the Tri-Nation Tournament in Spain.

He was selected in the FIH World XI team continuously for two years in 2010 and 2011 for his outstanding performance. Though Yuvraj Singh has been out of action after his stellar deeds in the 2011 World Cup due to a rare form of lung cancer, he has staged a strong come, and has been selected for the 20/20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September. And the Arjuna Award has come as an icing on the cake for his remarkable recovery and return to cricket.

New Delhi, August 18
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the State has fixed a target to win 12 medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Felicitating the four Olympic medal winners from Haryana at his New Delhi residence, Hooda said the hard work of the players resulted in their grand performance in the Olympics.

The players, who called on Hooda included, silver medallist Sushil Kumar, bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang and Yogeshwar Dutt, athlete Krishna Punia, shooter Annuraj Singh, judoka Garima, boxers Manoj Kumar, Sumit Sangwan and Jai Bhagwan.

He said Harayna players won three medals in the 2008 Bejing Games, and now the number has gone up to four “and we have set a target of 12 medals for the 2016 Olympics.” Hooda said the State Government was contemplating to bring a Bill on the Right to Play, and there would be three main tenets to the policy - infrastructure development, talent hunt and training and future assurance to the players.

Nearly 200 stadiums have been constructed in rural areas, where coaching will be given in different sports. Academies are being established for different sports. The Government will also give training to 5,000 selected players, along with scholarships of Rs 1,500 and Rs. 2,000 per month. Saina Nehwal, Sushil and Gagan said the support and encouragement extended by the Haryana Government to its players had been ‘fantastic’ and all state governments should extend similar ‘support’ to their players. Yogeshwar Dutt said the government helped in providing support after he had lost in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Games. He said when he got injured Haryana Government appointed him a DSP.

Lord's, August 18
South Africa were 145 for three after 50 overs against England in their second innings on Day Three of the Third Test on Saturday.

Hashim Amla (57 batting) and Dale Steyn (0) were at the crease. Jonny Bairstow fell five runs short of a maiden test century as England reached 277 for eight at lunch.

Bairstow, in the team for the omitted Kevin Pietersen, was bowled for 95 by Morne Morkel. He was the last of three wickets in a successful morning session for the tourists, who lead by 32 runs after scoring 309.It was a courageous effort by the 22-year-old after coming to the crease at 54 for four.

Graeme Swann was 14 not out and James Anderson was unbeaten on nine, despite receiving treatment for a blow on his arm from a short ball from Morkel.England will be hoping to gain a first innings lead, however small, as they must win the match to square the series and prevent South Africa from leapfrogging them at the top of the world rankings.

Matt Prior was South Africa's first scalp of the morning, after half an hour of fruitless toil, when he gifted his wicket away by chasing a Vernon Philander out-swinger well wide of off stump to edge to Jacques Kallis at second slip for 27.

Stuart Broad followed soon after, despite a breezy innings of 16, when he prodded a short ball from Steyn to Hashim Amla at short leg.Bairstow's run rate slowed in the nineties as he was stranded on 95 for 15 deliveries, all against Morkel. Brief Scores: England 305: South Africa 309 & 145/3 (Amla 57, Kallis 31, Petersen 24, Smith 23, Broad 1/38, Swann 1/38, Finn 1/38). — Reuters