Shivnarine Chanderpaul - the VVS Laxman of West Indies

Shivnarine Chanderpaul – the VVS Laxman of West Indies: If there was one cricketer who didn’t get the recognition that he deserved, then it is the West Indian legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul. We talk about Lara, Sachin, Ponting, Sangakkara and many others but very rarely do we talk about Chanderpaul who is in the same elite league as those players. The West Indian Cricket Board didn’t even arrange a farewell series for this player whose career is now close to curtains.

Chanderpaul has been one of those silent assassins who does his job quietly and stealthily but never gets recognized for his works. Despite all his achievements never was in the spotlight as Brian Lara and the others hogged the limelight most of the time. Having made his debut as a teenager, Chanderpaul was noted for his unique batting stance and unorthodox, but effective batting style. He is an excellent test player who averages over 50 in the format. He has been West Indies’s savior many times along with the other sharp brain Brian Charles Lara.

With his unorthodox batting technique bowlers had a tough time trying to get him out. His technical precision coupled with excellent hand-eye co-ordination and exquisite timing makes up for his unique batting style. He is equally good in all forms of the game, but more so in tests where he has 30 tons and is second in the list of most half centuries next only to Sachin Tendulkar. He has 66 half centuries.

Chanderpaul couldn’t hit a test ton in his first 3 years of playing test cricket. Many people were skeptical of his batting, as his form was plagued by injuries. But after he got rid of his physical injuries there was no stopping him. Shiv rose in stature and maturity and in no time, established himself as one of the all-time greats of the game. The man with the crab-like batting stance has been described by Shane Warne as the “bloke you need to crowbar away from the crease”. That is a true testimony to Shivnarine’s batting prowess. Notwithstanding all his accolades and achievements, Chanderpaul hasn’t quite got the due recognition that he rightly deserved.

In many ways, Chanderpaul reminds of VVS Laxman who was overshadowed by the golden trinity of Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid. Only time will tell if Chanderpaul’s career is over or if he would be selected in the team again. Whatever may happen he will always remain as one of the greatest players ever to wield a cricket bat in hand and his mind boggling stats and his passionate service for his country speak for themselves.