My stand with Dravid was crucial: Laxman

Kanpur: VVS Laxman didn't quite have the same success as Ganguly in the series, but he too was happy with how things turned out in the end for India, finishing on level terms with South Africa.

On playing on the Kanpur pitch

I'm used to playing on bad wickets. When you are playing domestic cricket, on the third and the fourth days of the match, usually the wicket wears out. So I have got the experience of playing big knocks on those tracks. So that really helps me whenever I'm playing on a bad surface.

On his first innings effort

More than the individual knock, my partnership with Rahul (Dravid) was very important, because we had lost Wasim (Jaffer) and Viru (Virender Sehwag) early on. It was very important that we put up a good partnership. I'm very glad that I was able to play my natural game and didn't get bogged down and get the runs on the board.

On the South African bowling attack

It was not really easy, but it was a great challenge playing on that wicket, because South Africa have a good bowling attack. So I think it was a very important innings for me.

On India's series-levelling efforts

I think it was a great team effort. It was very important that we win this Test match and level the series. The South Africans played well throughout the series, but the way our team played in this match was really commendable.