The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has taken up the cudgels on behalf of middle order batsman V V S Laxman who they claim has been wronged in being "rested" for the one-day series against Bangladesh later this month.
Expressing its anguish over the "resting" of the stylish batsman by the national selectors, HCA shot off a letter to all concerned to make their displeasure known.
"We have faxed a letter to the selection committee chairman, Cricket Board officials and all others concerned expressing our anguish at the way Laxman was dropped that too for only one dayers," HCA joint-secretary M V Sridhar said at Hyderabad on Saturday.
The letter, signed by HCA secretary Shivlal Yadav, said that HCA is surprised to see Laxman being rested despite being fully fit.
"We are of the opinion that he has not been rested due to genuine reasons. At a time when other players in the Indian team are all carrying injuries, we are surprised to note that Laxman has been rested," it said.
Sridhar said there is no meaning of the word 'rested' as Laxman has no injury.
"If that's the case there are many other seniors who deserved to be rested, instead they can simply say that Laxman is being dropped for one-dayers."
Sridhar, who holds the record of scoring the highest runs for Hyderabad, said when it comes to tough matches Laxman is always considered as number three.
"But when we are playing against a relatively weaker team, the question of 'resting' arises with Laxman being in the forefront.
"HCA expresses its displeasure over the treatment being meted out to Laxman and we take objection over the word 'rested' as our batsman carries no injury at all.
"They can as well say that he's dropped. If it's injury that's being considered for resting a player there are many senior players who have been included in the shorter version of the play despite carrying injuries," Sridhar said.
The letter also reflects the mood of the HCA stating that "the selectors have not been fair at all and are giving opportunities to players of lesser calibre besides looking at various pretexts to sideline Laxman.
"HCA should know the reasons for resting Laxman which otherwise may demoralise such a wonderful batsman."
Laxman has had a chequered career so far. He became a hero with his epic knock of 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens in the 2000-01 series in Kolkata. However, he was dropped subsequently from the World Cup squad, a disappointment which still rankles the batsman.
However, Laxman has not enjoyed a good run in the shorter version of the game recently. In the last 11 matches, he has scored 260 runs at an average of 28.88 with just one half-century.
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