New Delhi: The very mention of an India-Australia series would invariably revolve around the stylish-yet-defiant VVS Laxman and his epic 281 at the Eden Test nine years ago.
The senior batsman played the sheet-anchor role as India turned it around miraculously to win 2-1 coming from a match down against Australia.
Laxman hopes the innings would continue to inspire the team but it was important for them to focus on the present and win the upcoming two-match series beginning in Mohali on October 1.
The Hyderbadi batsman said he was personally looking forward to yet another good series against the team from Down Under.
The 2001 Eden Test is part of the cricketing folklore now and Laxman said focus should be on what is in hand right now.
"It was a long way back. But all of us still take confidence from that series. It (Eden Test) was a historic one that continues to inspire and give confidence whenever we're in trouble," he said.
Known for his fighting knocks while making them look sublime, Laxman said, "At the same time, we have to be in the present. Any series involving the two countries is watched very closely from followers of both the sides."
As a matter of fact, in the last two years Laxman averages 70.38 especially after his match-winning knocks in India's previous series in Sri Lanka.
In Galle, he found himself shepherding the tail, though India lost out. At the second Test in SSC, Laxman stood with Sachin Tendulkar at a crucial moment as India drew the match.
His best came at the P Sara Oval, where Laxman came into his own when the chips were down and the pitch playing fickle as he battled a back injury and pressure of a fourth innings chase to score his 16th Test hundred and a series-levelling win in August.
But Laxman said it is the start of a new season and it's important for them to start on a winning note with some tough series against New Zealand and South Africa lined up before the World Cup.
"Personally, I am really looking forward to the series. I want to keep up my good work going. I want to perform, play some match-winning knocks."
"I have spent last two weeks at the NCA, did quite a lot of practice, hitting at the nets. I am really happy with my form and waiting for the series to get going." PTI
