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

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



NEW DELHI: India’s tour of Australia in 1999-2000 was a forgettable one. India misplaced all three Exams and there have been solely two Indian batsmen to hit centuries throughout the three Exams. 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 towards Australia, significantly in Check cricket. His batting towards the formidable Australian aspect, which dominated world cricket within the late Nineties and early 2000s, is remembered for its magnificence, resilience, and sophistication.
Laxman made no bones about the truth that he did not prefer 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 offered 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 complete size deliveries by the covers throughout the SCG turf. Laxman stood tall to short-pitched deliveries and pulled majestically from outdoors off-stump by to the mid-wicket fence. The timing and placement off Laxman’s bat was good, whether or not it was a flick off his pads or when he hit by 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 have been caressed by the off-side, Shane Warne‘s leg spinners have been hit by mid-wicket towards the flip and Brett Lee‘s yorkers have been flicked to the mid-wicket fence, every body have been made to comprehend that they have been watching one thing particular.
Wickets falling on the different finish could not curb Laxman from taking part in his pictures 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 sector.
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 towards Australia throughout his profession, constantly displaying his prowess towards them. His means to play towards 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 towards Australia are etched in cricketing historical past, particularly for the way in which he performed essential innings in stress conditions, making him one of many most interesting batsmen in India-Australia contests.







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