Happy Birthday VVS Laxman: 5 Very Very Special innings from the willow of VVS

Very Very Special. If someone asked you to describe his career in just three words, that would be the aptest way of describing it. In a career that spanned 16 years, VVS Laxman’s artistry with the willow made for surreal viewing. His wrists worked magic, gaps were born when he was at his best and the bowlers appeared absolutely flummoxed as Laxman unleashed his sorcery on the field. The Hyderabadi maestro featured in 134 Tests for India and scored 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97. But then, more than the numbers, it was the myriad of memories that Laxman left behind that will define his celebrated career. As he turns 46 today, let us have a look at five greatest knocks played by VVS Laxman in the white flannels: 1. 167 vs Australia, Sydney VVS Laxman raises his bat. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images) It was a bowling attack that consisted of the likes of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Shane Warne and Damien Fleming. It was a bowling attack that had skittled the Indian batting line up for just 150 in the first innings. But then, all this did not make any difference to Laxman. India were faced with a deficit of 402 runs in the second innings, as Laxman came out to open the batting. The right-hander was hit flush on the helmet by a vicious bouncer by Glenn McGrath. But, Laxman was unfazed. The batting maestro took the attack to the Australians and stamped his authority all over the opposition. McGrath was driven past cover; Fleming was pulled through mid-wicket; Brett Lee was cut with dexterity, and spin wizard Shane Warne was whipped through the leg side. Laxman’s innings lasted 198 balls, and he waltzed his way to a mercurial 167 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. But, this effort from Laxman turned futile, as the other Indian batsmen failed to step up, as Australia crushed the visitors by an innings and 141 runs. 2. 176* vs West Indies, Kolkata VVS Laxman. (Photo by Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) It is a ground that he knows like the back of his hand. It is a ground where he averaged 110.64 throughout his career. In the year 2011, the West Indian bowling attack was smashed to a pulp by the Indian batsmen at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and the Hyderabadi led the way with a ravishing knock of 176*. Laxman’s innings was studded with 12 fours as the Caribbean outfit appeared completely clueless. Apart from Laxman, Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni scored hundreds as well, as the West Indies were decimated by the Indian batting juggernaut. India finished their first innings with a massive total of 631/7. The visitors were never in the game, and in the end, went down to the Indian side by an innings and 15 runs. 3. 178 vs Australia, Sydney VVS Laxman. (Photo by Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) The Sydney Test in 2004 is remembered for the iconic double hundred by Sachin Tendulkar. In an innings that lasted a marathon 436 deliveries, the ‘Little Master’ scored an unbeaten 241 as the Australians wilted under the mastery exhibited by the man affectionately called the ‘God of Cricket’. But then, at the other end, Laxman was at his prodigious best against the kangaroos. The right-hander walked in with the scorecard reading 194/3 and joined Tendulkar in the middle. The two Indian batting icons were involved in a gargantuan partnership of 353 runs, as India finished with a massive total of 705/7 in their first innings. Again, Laxman’s innings was characterised by timing and artistry. Out of the 30 boundaries that he scored on that day, the one off Nathan Bracken stood out as the crown jewel. To a ball that was pitched on off stump, Laxman rose on his toes and punched the ball past cover. He had split the gap on the off-side with precision, and the ball raced away to the boundary. The Sydney crowd was treated to a garland of wonderful strokes by Laxman, as he scored a gorgeous 178, ably supporting Tendulkar. 4. 200* vs Australia, New Delhi VVS Laxman. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) The Aussies were definitely his favourite opponents and Laxman rose his game every time he confronted the greatest bowling attack of his generation. And, the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in 2008 witnessed another gem from the willow of Laxman. India won the toss and elected to bat first. And, when Laxman walked out to the middle, the scorecard read 157/3. In an innings that was studded with 21 fours, the Hyderabadi waltzed his way to an unbeaten 200*. He was supported by Gautam Gambhir, who also scored a double century, as the duo catapulted India to a total of 613/7. The Australians replied with 577 in their first innings, as Michael Clarke scored 112. The match ended in a draw. 1. 281 vs Australia, Kolkata VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid of India. (Photo by Hamish Blair/ALLSPORT) This is not just Laxman’s best innings, but it is the greatest knock played by an Indian batsman in Test cricket. The context, the bowling attack he faced and the situation in which Laxman conjured this classic at the iconic Eden Gardens marks this outing as the innings that will be etched in golden letters in the annals of Indian cricketing history. The Australians batted first and scored 445 in their first innings. In reply, the hosts were bundled out for just 171. India were asked to follow on, and even the staunchest Indian supporter would have given up hope. But then, Laxman came out and demolished the Aussies. Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne tried everything in their arsenal, but they could not dislodge Laxman. Laxman found an ally in Rahul Dravid, and the two put on a game-changing 376 run partnership. Dravid scored a sedate 180, but it was drowned in the magic that Laxman displayed at the other end. Laxman batted for 452 deliveries, scored an enchanting 281, and allowed India to script their greatest Houdini Act in Test cricket history. The Indian side beat Australia by 171 runs, and the Eden crowd erupted in joy. Laxman was the catalyst who allowed India to post arguably their greatest victory in Test cricket. Note: All the stats have been taken from Howstat cricket and Cricinfo

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Happy Birthday VVS Laxman: 5 Very Very Special innings from the willow of VVS

The Hyderabadi maestro featured in 134 Tests for India and scored 8781 runs at an average of 45.97.

2. 176* vs West Indies, Kolkata

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