Barbados, June 29: On a day when 13 wickets fell between the two sides, VVS Laxman reached the 8000-run milestone as he batted India out of the pit with a superb 88-run knock against West Indies. The wristy stroke-player from Hyderabad was modest about his achievement while talking to the media in the post-match interaction. While commending the efforts of younger teammate Suresh Raina, he also backed other youngsters in the team to come good in due course of time.

Excerpts from his media interaction:

On completing 8000 runs in Test cricket

It feels great because [for] all your contribution to the country, you are rewarded by passing one of the milestones. It was important for me to hang in there and have a partnership because of the way they started. It was a helpful track for [the] fast bowlers. It was quite difficult for our batsmen and they bowled in the right areas. Unfortunately, we lost four quick wickets but the partnership between Suresh Raina and me was very important from the context of the game and it would have been nice if [we] had carried on. But [I am] quite satisfied with the knock.

On the advice he gave Suresh Raina who looked a bit uncomfortable initially

Nothing. It’s just that Suresh wanted to be positive, because obviously the bowlers were dominating and he, being a very positive character and stroke-player, wanted to dominate from the word go. There were patches when he took some risks. I think he played a very important knock for us. A very positive knock; the knock actually changed the momentum of the game which was more towards the West Indies side. Just his knock, the way he approached the game, was fabulous to see.

On whether the bounce that Devendra Bishoo got off the track was important

Yeah, absolutely. I thought there was no turn for Bishoo but there was bounce. It will be very important for us, especially [for] someone like Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh], if we take the fourth innings into consideration. There is some bounce for the spinners.

On whether the bounce had reduced a bit when India bowled in the last session

No, I don’t think so. I think it’s still a very helpful track for the medium pacers, especially with the new ball when the ball is hard and the seam is hard. Tomorrow’s morning session [we] will again come and dominate and take quick wickets.

On his practice of tapping the bat at the end of the over

[Laughs] I know you talked about that even in the New Zealand series. [It’s] just a trigger which I developed over the years for the new over which I am going to face. As you know, all cricketers have a fixed routine and we like to follow that routine. It’s just one of the routines I’ve developed over the years while playing for Hyderabad. One of my coaches suggested I should do that; [it’s] just a trigger to concentrate for the upcoming over.

On batting in a demanding situation

It gets the best out of me, especially when we are in a terrible situation. The track was challenging and so was the situation. I always regret not converting [my starts], the hard work which I put in, and not converting that into a hundred which would be more satisfying at the end of the day. Still, I got into a better rhythm especially after Jamaica.

On India’s opening woes, Abhinav Mukund and Murali Vijay

We have got very talented openers. Murali Vijay and Abhinav have done really well in the matches coming into the tour. Especially Abhinav had a wonderful domestic season and Murali Vijay, whenever he gets an opportunity, he grabs it. It’s tough playing in the West Indies especially with the wickets which are usually quite damp in the first innings and in the first one or two hours of the first day. But [at] the same time I think they are potentially true match-winners.