Former India batsman VVS Laxman talked about the infamous 2008 Sydney Test against Australia. The Test, which is famous for 'monkeygate', is also fresh in memories because of umpiring howlers.
The on-field umpires, Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson, had wrongly ruled many decisions in the favour of Australia. Laxman, speaking on Star Sports' Cricket Connected show, said India had a great chance of winning the match.
“I wouldn’t call it the Aussie arrogance. But I just feel after losing the Melbourne Test we had a great chance of winning the Sydney Test match. Yes, it will be remembered more for the Monkeygate but I thought we had a great chance of winning that Test match,” Laxman said.
“The bowlers, especially when we started bowling in the first innings took early wickets. Australia was under pressure and then Andrew Symonds, I think he was out two or three times and the umpires made huge blunders. I cannot ever forget the way I think RP Singh got the nick of Symonds,” he added.
Andrew Symonds was the Man-of-the-Match for his unbeaten hundred in the first innings and a half-century in the second. He was given a lifeline by the umpire in the first innings which cost India big time.
“There was a big sound but the umpire ruled not out. Unfortunately, that led to Andrew Symonds getting a big hundred and after that what followed, especially on the last day, the way Sourav and Rahul were out I think was in very poor taste,” Laxman stated.
India had lost the match by 122 runs after failing to chase down 333 runs in the fourth innings.
Speaking on the monkeygate scandal, Laxman said, "The Monkeygate issue was blown out of proportion. At one time we thought we will call off the series.
“Anil (Kumble) as the captain acted like a diplomat. I think the BCCI ultimately made the right decision and we continued with the series."
(Inputs from Star Sports' Cricket Connected show )
