Stand with Zaheer was key: Laxman

DURBAN - V.V.S. Laxman says his crucial 70-run stand in the second innings with Zaheer Khan was crucial in setting up India’s 87-run win over South Africa in the second cricket Test here Wednesday.

“I just wanted to build a partnership with the lower order. The stand with Zaheer was key,” said Laxman, who was adjudged Man of the Match.

Laxman hit a match-winning 96 and with Zaheer (27) helped India score 228 runs in the second innings to set a 303 run target for the Proteas at the Kingsmead Stadium. The hosts were all out for 215 runs and suffered their third consecutive defeat in Durban.

Asked to rate his knock, Laxman said: “Beating South Africa in South Africa, that too in Durban, it is definitely high up there.”

Laxman lauded the team for bouncing back to level the three match series after suffering a humiliating innings and 25 runs loss in the first Test at Centurion.

“Credit to the team for fighting back after what happened in Centurion. I got a good ball in the first innings in Centurion, to the second I didn’t play a proper shot. There is a lot of bounce here in Durban. I always take pride in what I do overseas,” he said.