He seemed to be the easiest target, the first one in the firing line. Maybe, because he did not bother to respond to the comments made about him, the allegations that were labeled against him. Maybe, he did not deem it necessary.

One of the so-called Fab Four -- along with Sachin Tendulkar [Images], Sourav Ganguly [Images] and Rahul Dravid [Images] -- he had to resist tremendous pressure over the last few months. A few poor performances coupled with the fact that they aren't getting any younger meant that the Damocles' sword hung above the heads of the Fab Four and there were repeated calls vis-�-vis their retirement.

One from the quartet -- Ganguly -- probably succumbed to the intense pressure and daily hullabaloo and announced his decision to quit at the end of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But not VVS Laxman.

• Images: 3rd Test, Day 2 | Scorecard

 He did not announce his intentions in the media. Instead, he preferred to do the talking where it mattered the most -- the cricket field. The end result: an unbeaten 200 in the third Test at the Ferozshah Kotla and a tacit response to the critics -- that there's still fire left in his belly, that he can still contribute when required.

At the end of the performance, on Day 2 in the third Test against Australia [Images] on Thursday, it was time to do the explanation bit off it. And, in that sense, Laxman is an opportunist. He knows that words are to be used sparingly and to a greater effect. Now that he was done with the batting, he didn't mind talking a bit.

"I think the 'Doubting Thomases' are the people outside the team," said Laxman, a clear reference to the people who were unsure about his future as a cricketer. "The team management and the selectors always gave me the confidence.

"All the stories that were making rounds in the media circle were negative. And I think because of all the negativity in the media, the team got together and is doing so well now."

The veteran said that no player should be forced on the retirement issue, for every one knows when he has to call it quits.

"All the players are responsible to the team and mature enough to take decisions," he said. "We are not asking people to over-respect us but please don't degrade us."

The double hundred -- the second of his career after the momentous 281 in Kolkata -- also satisfied the batsman personally.

"It was unfortunate that I was not able to contribute in the first two Tests. So I was keen to contribute here," reasoned Laxman.

Laxman had scores of 0, 42 not out and 12 in the first two Tests.

"Personally this was a good innings for me and it was also important from the team's perspective."

During the course of his innings, he passed the 2,000 Test runs mark against Australia -- a team against which he has always performed well -- but what pleased him more was the magnitude of the knock.

"I am quite satisfied because after a long time I got a score of more than 150. It was crucial for me as I was getting 100s but not big ones," said Laxman, whose last 150-plus knock came against the West Indies [Images] (154 not out) at the Eden Gardens six years back.

His efforts aside, he was pleased that the batsmen had put India in a winning position. At the same time, he did use the opportunity to lash out at the Australians, labelling them "defensive," probably taking a cue from teammate Zaheer Khan [Images].

"They are just being too defensive. Ricky Ponting [Images] is talking more about India than about his own team," stated Laxman. "They are an inexperienced side, with many having no experience of playing here in India, but I think it is just a mental approach

"Because, besides Adam Gilchrist [Images], most of the players are the same ones we played in Australia and they beat us 2-1 then."

Laxman turns 34 on Saturday and a few days later will be playing in his 100th Test match -- in Nagpur. No doubt he is excited, not about getting a year older, but about the forthcoming milestone.

"It (playing 100 Tests) is a special moment for any cricketer and certainly a huge honour for me," he said.

And what better way to celebrate an impending birthday and an approaching landmark than giving yourself the best possible gift -- an innings to savour.