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

3. 178 vs Australia, Sydney

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.