VVS Laxman -The saviour

Some memories never die. They make you feel warm on a cold night. They make you feel young again. VVS Laxman's 281 against Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne and his 376-run partnership with Rahul Dravid at the Eden Gardens in March 2001 is one such treasure. In the hour of need, with imminent defeat staring in the face, champions rise and become part of folklore. VVS Laxman was one such hero – the ever dependable figure who produced his best in situations of crisis. Every one talks about the might of the Indian batting line-up, But when this formidable line-up stutteres, they looked upon the elegant Hyderabadi to clear the muddle and lift india to safety. VVS along with Rahul Dravid scripted a number of great comebacks.

Here is a list of Laxman’s greatest efforts in the deepest muddles – knocks that rewrote history and carved his own niche.

281 vs Australia at Kolkata, March 2001

It is a knock that defined the word epic and put Laxman’s name into the annals of cricketing history for eternity. Australia had won the first Test at Mumbai, scored 445 in the first dig at Kolkata, and then bowled India out for 171 and asked them to follow on. Steve Waugh & Co, riding on 16 successive Test wins, were thinking of ways to celebrate the conquest of their final frontier when VVS, promoted to No. 3, joined forces with an out-of-touch Rahul Dravid. Both added 376 for the fifth wicket as India declared at 657 for seven and then bowled a stunned Australia out to eke out an unthinkable win. Laxman hit 281, then the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests.

148 vs Australia at Adelaide, December, 2003

 India were reduced to 85 for four after the Aussies had amassed 556. Both VVS and Rahul then started to battle with the Australian bowlers and calmly got the scoreboard ticking. It was déjà vu Kolkata as Waugh’s Australians felt the heat again. By the time Laxman was dismissed for 148 – a fluent knock full of his trademark shots – India were in a position of relative safety. Laxman and Dravid added 303 for the fifth wicket as the visitors reached 523. India then bowled out Australia for 196 and successfully chased 233 to record a rare overseas win that gave them a 1-0 lead in the series.

 178 vs Australia at Sydney, Jan 2004

This match is best remembered for Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 241 without stroking a boundary on the off-side , but what also stood out was a regal 178 off Laxman's bat. Both the batting geniuses added 353 for the fourth wicket as India put on a humungous 705 for seven in the fourth and final Test.

 73 not out vs Australia at Mohali, October , 2010

India, chasing 216 were looking down and out at 124 for eight, with Ishant Sharma giving company to Laxman, who was writhing in back pain. The Hyderabadi, however, pulled off a miracle , and added 81 with the tailender to give heartache to the Aussies. The 'heartache' turned to 'heartbreak' as VVS then took India home with last man Pragyan Ojha in, to pull off a one-wicket win for India.

 96 vs South Africa at Durban, December , 2010

It was a tricky wicket and bothe sides had a difficult time adjusting to the conditions. India were bowled out at 205 where VVS top scored with 38 runs. South Africans were bundled out for 131 in their first innings giving india a crucial advantage. In the second innings, Indians were struggling at 56 for 4 when laxman came to the rescue and helped india reach a winning total of 303. This includes a vital partnership of 70 with Zaheer for the eighth wicket.