VVS laxman announces retirement from international cricket

Hyderabad: Indian batsman VVS Laxman announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, saying it was “time to move on” despite his selection for the two-Test series against New Zealand.
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.
His recent form, however, has been poor and clamour had grown in the Indian media to replace the side’s ageing batting stalwarts following 4-0 series whitewashes in England and Australia.

“I have always kept the country’s success and needs ahead of my personal aspirations and I would have loved to contribute to the team’s success especially against England and Australia later in the season,” Laxman said.
Former India captain Rahul Dravid was the first of the senior batsmen to retire from the longer format after the team slumped to eight consecutive Test defeats away from home.

Sachin Tendulkar is the last from the golden generation of Indian batsmen to still play for the country.