Border Gavaskar Trophy: When VVS Laxman gave a glimpse of his epic 281 in Sydney – Instances of India

NEW DELHI: India’s tour of Australia in 1999-2000 was a forgettable one. India misplaced all three Checks and there have been solely two Indian batsmen to hit centuries throughout the three Checks. One was captain Sachin Tendulkar, who hit 116 within the second Check on the MCG and the second was a batsman who might most likely outshine even the good Tendulkar in dazzling strokeplay on his day – Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman.
VVS Laxman is famend for his distinctive performances in opposition to Australia, notably in Check cricket. His batting in opposition to the formidable Australian aspect, which dominated world cricket within the late 1990s and early 2000s, is remembered for its magnificence, resilience, and sophistication.
Laxman made no bones about the truth that he did not wish to open the innings, however when India toured Australia in 1999-2000, he was nonetheless in early days of his profession and this knock at Sydney got here within the second innings and supplied only a signal of issues to come back.
Laxman was hit on the grill of his helmet whereas ducking a bouncer from Glenn McGrath however that did not deter him from caressing the total size deliveries by way of the covers throughout the SCG turf. Laxman stood tall to short-pitched deliveries and pulled majestically from exterior off-stump by way of to the mid-wicket fence. The timing and placement off Laxman’s bat was excellent, whether or not it was a flick off his pads or when he hit by way of the road.
Laxman raced to his half-century off simply 55 balls, reaching the mark with an impressive pull shot to the mid-wicket fence. Laxman’s footwork was not at all times a purist’s enjoyment of that innings, however when McGrath’s outswingers had been caressed by way of the off-side, Shane Warne‘s leg spinners had been hit by way of mid-wicket in opposition to the flip and Brett Lee‘s yorkers had been flicked to the mid-wicket fence, every person had been made to understand that they had been watching one thing particular.
Wickets falling on the different finish could not curb Laxman from enjoying his photographs and he reached his maiden century off 114 deliveries with the assistance of 16 fours. Laxman reached his 150 off 172 balls and when he lastly fell for 167, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off Lee, he was given a standing ovation by the SCG crowd.
So magnificent was the batting exhibition by Laxman that day that Justin Langer ran over and congratulated him on the finish of his knock. Lee and different Aussie gamers additionally applauded him off the sphere.
The “very very particular” tag that the Aussie tormentor carried with him for nearly his whole profession was maybe given to him on that day on the Sydney Cricket Floor and this knock was only a prequel to a historic innings that was performed on the Eden Gardens in March 2001.
Laxman scored six Check centuries in opposition to Australia throughout his profession, constantly displaying his prowess in opposition to them. His means to play in opposition to high quality quick bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and Jason Gillespie, in addition to the legendary spinner Shane Warne, was a testomony to his technical brilliance.
Laxman’s performances in opposition to Australia are etched in cricketing historical past, particularly for the best way he performed essential innings in stress conditions, making him one of many best batsmen in India-Australia contests.