Laxman hits back at Clarke, says just being nice doesn't guarantee a place in IPL

Former India batsman VVS Laxman took a jibe at Michael Clarke for his recent claims that Australian cricketers "sucked up" to India captain Virat Kohli for protecting ir IPL contracts, saying just being nice to someone doesn't guarantee a spot in cash-rich tournament. Clarke, a former Australian captain, raised several eyebrows after he claimed that re was a phase when Australian cricketers were so keen on protecting ir IPL deals that y felt "scared" of sledging India skipper Kohli and his teammates and instead "sucked up" to m.

Laxman hits back at Clarke

"Just by being nice to someone doesn't get you a place in IPL," Laxman, who also mentors IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad told Star Sports on its show 'Cricket Connected'. 

"Any franchise will look at player's caliber and value add to team, which gives m desired results by winning matches/tournaments. se are kind of players who get IPL contracts. So just being nice to someone will t earn you a spot in IPL."

Laxman, a veteran of 134 Tests, said as a mentor when he is on auction table, those players are looked at who do exceptionally well for ir country. "If you're friendly with any Indian player it doesn't mean that you are getting IPL contract. As a mentor, I'm on auction table and we select players, those international players that have played exceptionally well for ir country and can add value to franchise.  "Friendship with any Indian player doesn't ensure entry into IPL," Laxman, who amassed 8,781 Test runs, said without mincing any words.

Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth also shot back at Clarke, terming his comments as "ridiculous". Srikkanth, who was part of 1983 World Cup winning Indian team, said matches are t won by sledging. "You do t win matches just by sledging. Aussie's loss is a loss, his statement was ridiculous I would say," said 60-year-old Srikkanth.

Srikkanth, himself an aggressive player, said that sledging cant help in any way.

"If you ask Nasser Hussain or Sir Vivian Richards who are experienced players, you can never score runs or get wickets through sledging. You need to play good cricket and showcase determination; you need to bowl well to get wickets and bat well to achieve targets. Sledging cant help in any way according to my opinion," he said.

Australian Test skipper Tim Paine had earlier hit back at Clarke, saying his team avoided provoking "any fight" with Kohli as part of its strategy to keep Indian captain's bat quiet, t a ploy to save IPL contracts. 

Im credits: AFP