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

1. 281 vs Australia, Kolkata

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