In the pantheon of Indian cricket, VVS Laxman as symbol of elegance, resilience, unselfish brilliance

By Harsh Thakor* 

On November 1st, legendary Indian cricketer VVS Laxman celebrates his 50th birthday. Known for his elegance, Laxman turned impossible matches on their heads with a style that captivated cricket fans worldwide. He wielded his bat like an artist’s brush, finding gaps on the field with surgical precision, creating innings as meticulously as a sculptor carves a masterpiece. Born in Hyderabad, Laxman inherited the stylistic lineage of local icons ML Jaisimha and Mohammad Azharuddin, blending it with a grace reminiscent of Gundappa Viswanath.

At his peak, Laxman’s artistry sometimes even overshadowed Sachin Tendulkar’s powerful strokeplay. His on-side game matched his idol Azharuddin’s, but Laxman’s range on the off-side and his trademark on-drive made him uniquely versatile. He could caress a ball to either side with almost magical wristwork, cutting late and square with a fluidity that resembled a blossoming lotus.

Career highlights

Laxman first demonstrated his brilliance with a stunning 167 against Australia in 1999–2000, a knock filled with flowing drives, cuts, hooks, and pulls. However, it was his 281 against Australia in the iconic 2001 Kolkata Test that cemented his place in cricketing folklore. Partnering with Rahul Dravid, he crafted one of the most memorable innings in Test history, taking India from the brink of defeat to an extraordinary victory. This performance was pivotal, as India was reeling from the shadow of a match-fixing scandal. His stunning dismantling of Shane Warne on a turning pitch exemplified attacking batsmanship at its finest.

Laxman’s feats against Australia didn’t stop there. During the 2003-04 Australia tour, he scored two centuries, including one in a match-saving 303-run partnership with Dravid at Adelaide. His 178 in Sydney, though overshadowed by Tendulkar’s 241, captivated with its exquisite shot-making. 

Laxman’s partnerships with Dravid and others helped establish India’s formidable middle order alongside Tendulkar, Sehwag, and Ganguly throughout the 2000s. In Mohali in 2010, his unbeaten 73 while battling back spasms led India to a nail-biting one-wicket victory against Australia, again showing his penchant for rescuing India from crisis situations.

Despite his Test success, Laxman faced setbacks, including his omission from the 2003 World Cup squad. Upon his return, he scored five ODI centuries, proving his adaptability. Against Australia, he became the second Indian batsman after Tendulkar to amass over 2000 runs.

Legacy and style

Laxman ended his career with 8,781 Test runs in 134 matches, averaging 45.97 with 17 centuries. His legacy is marked not just by numbers but by the artistry and elegance he brought to the game, along with his consistency in challenging conditions worldwide. His ability to farm the strike, especially in fourth-innings run chases or while batting with the tail, ranks him among India’s most unselfish batsmen.

Yet, despite his artistry, Laxman lacked consistency at times, often getting out to reckless shots. He never scored a century in England, and his game against express pace was sometimes questioned, especially compared to earlier Indian greats. In ODIs, his slower running between wickets and limited fielding abilities were seen as liabilities.

Laxman’s impact went beyond runs and records; his humility and grace left an indelible impression on teammates and opponents alike.

MS Dhoni remarked, "The whole team will miss you VVS. One of the best human beings I have ever met in my life. Personally, I will really miss you, Lachu bhai."

Rahul Dravid remembered him for his grace under pressure: "I will remember him most for his balance while batting, his ability to keep smiling whatever the situation, and his tenacity to keep bouncing back."

In the pantheon of Indian cricket, VVS Laxman stands as a symbol of elegance, resilience, and unselfish brilliance, an artist whose finest performances often came when the stakes were highest.

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*Freelance journalist