VVS Laxman | Who played the greatest Test innings ever

Perhaps the most elegant player to have never played a World Cup match, VVS Laxman’s career was both magnificent and middling at the same time. While there was no limit to his talent, his inconsistency played a big hindrance in his rise to greatness.

However, the player would surely have little regrets following his 2001 innings against world-beater Australia at the Eden Gardens, which went on to define his entire career. 

Prior to that knock against Australia, Laxman was largely a floater in the Indian side, being asked to bat between the top and middle order frequently, which not only affected his form but also his confidence.

Though Laxman would make his Test debut back in 1996, his first century came four years later in 2000 during India’s tour of Australia. And although Laxman’s fighting 167 in Sydney as an opener did make a case, it was what came four matches later that finally cemented his place as one of the best middle-order batsmen in India’s Test cricket history.

It was when the Test series was at stake and the hosts were desperately trying to save the match after being forced a follow-on that Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman had decided to announce himself on the world stage. Having hit the Australians for 12 boundaries in the first innings had led the Indian think tank to send Laxman at number 3 in the second innings, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar. And the rest was history. 

Here's wishing one of #TeamIndia's most stylish batsmen, @VVSLaxman281 a very happy birthday 🎂🍰

Relive his stupendous knock of 281 against Australia #HappyBirthdayVVSLaxman pic.twitter.com/5ljdNdgSay

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2018

Laxman would survive 631 minutes against the likes of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne to score 281 runs and forge a mammoth 376-run stand with Rahul Dravid. Not only that knock won India the match but the momentum was enough to win them the series 2-1. 

After the 2001 Test, Ian Chappell had famously told Shane Warne, “You didn’t bowl badly, you just came up against the player who I think is the best batsman of spin bowling that I have seen.”

Quite interestingly, Laxman had an intense liking for the Australians. The no.1 Test side that was feared by all in the early 2000s, was Laxman’s favourite opponent. He tallied a whopping 2434 runs against them in just 29 matches with an average of 49.67, the best of which came during India’s tour of Australia in 2003.

Laxman was at his fluid best on that tour tallying 494 across four Tests, which included a 148 and a 178, thus forcing the Australians to admit that they didn’t know where to ball against Laxman. Laxman’s flicks were almost as effortless as his idol Mohammad Azharuddin, but the former was gifted with much finesse across other aspects of the batting.

Laxman, however, loved a dog fight as much as he liked those silky strokes, and his unbeaten 73 against Australia in Mohali is a testament to that. India had lost the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir and many more. Things got further tricker as the only proper batsman at the crease, Laxman, was nursing a back injury. However, the Hyderabadi would take a runner and win the match for India with Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha at the other end.

While most of Laxman’s memorable knocks came against Australia, one can’t forget his 96 in South Africa against a raging Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, or his 122 against England in Nottinghamshire in 2002, which brought iconic victories for India. 

Given his aggressive batting and brilliant strokeplay, one would have expected him to dominate the white-ball cricket. But, his tally of 2338 in 86 ODIs looks pale in comparison to the 8781 runs in 134 Tests. Laxman had 17 centuries in Tests.

Laxman’s single biggest issue was consistency and when his form took a turn for the worse during the 2011-12 season, which coincided with India getting whitewashed by England and Australia, calls for him to be removed became louder. He was included in the team to play against New Zealand in Hyderabad, but the batsman surprisingly announced his retirement letting go of a chance to get a farewell from the home crowd. 

Attention never suited him and he would go away from the limelight in silence. Describing him, Harsha Bhogle had impeccably put, “Always the artist, never the superstar.”