VVS Laxman, celebrated as one of India’s finest cricketers, is known for his remarkable contributions to Test cricket.
Born on November 1, 1974, in Hyderabad, he is fondly referred to as the “God of the Fourth Innings” due to his exceptional performances, particularly against Australia.
As he turns 52 this Sunday, Laxman’s technical prowess as a right-handed batsman is remembered. Despite the presence of legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag, Laxman carved a niche for himself in the Test team, showcasing his formidable skills.
Throughout his career, Laxman became known for his ability to perform under pressure, often excelling alongside lower-order batsmen. His notable innings include a stunning 281 runs against Australia in Kolkata in 2001, a crucial 167 in Sydney in 2000, and a solid 148 in Adelaide in 2003. Many of his memorable innings came in the fourth innings of matches, which solidified his reputation.
Laxman made his international debut in Test cricket against South Africa in November 1996, followed by his One Day International debut against Australia on April 9, 1998. Over his career, he played 134 Test matches, scoring 8,781 runs with 17 centuries and 56 half-centuries. His 281 in Kolkata remains the highest Test score by an Indian cricketer for a significant period.
In ODIs, he accumulated 2,338 runs in 86 matches, with six centuries and ten half-centuries. Laxman announced his retirement from international cricket on August 18, 2012.
After retiring, he remained active in cricket as a commentator and mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was appointed Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on December 13, 2021, where he continues to play a vital role in nurturing young talent and maintaining the fitness of senior players.
Laxman has also stepped in as the head coach for the Indian team on occasions. Under his mentorship, India won gold medals at the Asian Games twice, and he guided the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their IPL title in 2016. In recognition of his contributions to cricket, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011, and his future in Indian cricket looks promising.