Hyderabad, Jun 11: Indian cricket team Vice-Captain V V S Laxman on Friday called upon the young players from Hyderabad to put in extra efforts so that the region regains its past glory in the popular sport.
“Wearing Hyderabad cap and playing Ranji match for Hyderabad is very important. Young cricketers should understand the value of wearing Hyderabad cap. I would like to see more and more (Hyderabad) players to represent our country and the South Zone,” he said here.
“There was a time during 1970s and early 1980s when there were seven players from Hyderabad cricket who represented the country. But at this movement it is only two (Laxman himself) and Pragyan Ojha,” the stylish batsman said. Laxman was speaking at a function where the Hyderabad Crickets Association (HCA) facilitated him, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and former Indian Test player M V Narasimha Rao. HCA presented Rs 1 lakh cheque each to Laxman and Ojaha.
Police Commissioner A K Khan felicitated the players. Addressing the young cricketers, Laxman said “It is time for all of us to take the right step in getting the lost esteem and pride of Hyderabad cricket and bring back the stature which it once cherished.”
“It is just a matter of your efforts and commitment to the game which is most important in progress of Hyderabad cricket. You are future of Hyderabad cricket and if you are sincere, I am sure we can find a lot of international stars from Hyderabad,” the 36-year-old veteran of 120 Test matches said. PTI
