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VVS Laxman

If there is one batsman who can overshadow Sachin Tendulkar with his strokeplay at the crease, it is VVS Laxman, the wristy genius from Hyderabad. Laxman has the amazing ability to hit against the spin with the skillful use of his wrists, which allow him to flick the ball even from outside off-stump to mid-wicket. Laxman has an overall average of 47.40 and against Australia, who have come to dread him, Laxman averages 55.58. Australia have bore most of the brunt of Laxman's dazzling strokeplay as he has hit 16 centuries in his Test career and six of them have come against Australia and two of them have been double centuries. Playing in Sydney for the first time in January 2000, Laxman reached triple figures for the first time in Test cricket. But his 167 in the second innings was not enough to save India as Australia won the match by an innings and 141 runs to wrap up the series 3-0. Laxman's claim to fame came when India became only the second country in Test cricket history to win a Test match after being made to follow-on at the Eden Gardens. Laxman's 281 and Dravid's 180 turned the match on its head as India beat Australia by 171 runs. On the 2003-04 Australia tour, Laxman made 148 at the Adelaide Oval in the second Test. India went on to win the Test and for the first time ever took a series lead against Australia on their soil. In the fourth Test of that series, Laxman hit 178 at Sydney and put up a 353-run stand for the fourth wicket with Sachin Tendulkar, as India amassed 705 runs. Retiring captain Steve Waugh had to bring all his experience into play as Australia managed to draw the Test. On the 2008 tour, in the infamous Sydney Test that Australia won under dubious circumstances aided by shoddy umpiring and marred by the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds race row, Laxman hit 109 in the first innings. Laxman scored his second double century, an unbeaten 200 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, on Australia's tour to India in 2008. An injured Laxman hit a 79-ball 73 to steer India to a one-wicket victory over Australia on the final day of the first Test at Mohali.

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VVS Laxman News

'You were Usain Bolt?': Zaheer recalls fiery exchange with Ponting in 2010 Mohali Test

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 11, 2026, 09:33 (IST)

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan revealed his taunt to Ricky Ponting during their 2010 Mohali Test spat. Khan jokingly asked Ponting if he thought he was Usain Bolt after a failed quick single. This exchange occurred during a dramatic Test match where India secured a thrilling one-wicket victory.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tipped for major role in BCCI’s make-or-break red-ball mission

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 05, 2026, 06:47 (IST)

India's cricket board is rebuilding its Test team. A new plan focuses on young players for the future. A four-day competition will feature 64 players under 25. This aims to create a strong pipeline of red-ball cricketers. Coaches and selectors will prioritize Test development. Emerging and India A teams will tour Sri Lanka for four-day games.

'The kala in his hand': How Mukesh Kumar became Delhi Capitals' go-to bowler

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 07, 2026, 13:39 (IST)

Mukesh Kumar has emerged as an unlikely yet vital weapon for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, silencing doubters with discipline and control. Backed by the team management, the Bengal pacer has relied on hard lengths and consistency to deliver.

'That sensational partnership changed everything': John Wright on VVS Laxman–Rahul Dravid epic

TNN / Mar 14, 2026, 09:15 (IST)

John Wright reflects on India's improbable 2001 Eden Gardens Test victory against Australia. He highlights the sensational partnership of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, and Harbhajan Singh's bowling heroics. The win injected immense self-belief into the team, paving the way for future overseas successes.

25 years of Eden miracle: When Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman stunned Australia

TNN / Mar 14, 2026, 11:29 (IST)

India achieved a historic Test win, following on against Australia, a feat accomplished only thrice before. This remarkable victory at Eden Gardens, marked by Sourav Ganguly's captaincy and the heroic partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, defied expectations. The match became a symbol of redemption, with fans' support echoing through the stadium.

Harbhajan to mentor Mumbai spinners at BCCI CoE spin camp

TNN / Mar 20, 2026, 12:32 (IST)

Mumbai's off-spinners Tanush Kotian and Himanshu Singh will train under Harbhajan Singh at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. The four-day camp, from March 23-26, aims to refine their skills, with Kotian eager to learn the straighter one and doosra. Both players are not part of IPL 2026.

'A partnership that will forever remain special': VVS Laxman on Eden Gardens miracle with Rahul Dravid

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 14, 2026, 14:28 (IST)

VVS Laxman reminisced about the 25th anniversary of India's historic Test victory against Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001. He highlighted the monumental partnership with Rahul Dravid, which saw India overcome a massive deficit and achieve one of cricket's greatest comebacks. Laxman's 281 and Dravid's 180 were pivotal in setting up the win.

T20 World Cup: Why Gautam Gambhir dedicated India’s win to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 09, 2026, 09:26 (IST)

Gautam Gambhir dedicated India's T20 World Cup triumph to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, acknowledging their foundational roles. India's dominant win over New Zealand marked their third T20 World Cup title and first successful title defence on home soil. Gambhir also lauded captain Suryakumar Yadav and selector Ajit Agarkar for their contributions to the historic victory.

‘VVS Laxman scored 281 with my bat’: Venkatapathy Raju on epic Eden Gardens knock

Mar 13, 2026, 09:26 (IST)

Returning after two years, Venkatapathy Raju witnessed a transformed Indian team. VVS Laxman's belief in a comeback against Australia, coupled with his and Rahul Dravid's remarkable partnership, shifted the game's momentum. Sachin Tendulkar's crucial spell on Day 5 and Laxman's extraordinary batting, even against Shane Warne, sealed a historic victory that instilled immense belief in Indian cricket.

From toss drama to series glory: Sourav Ganguly on Steve Waugh mind games, VVS Laxman-Rahul Dravid stand, India's rise

TNN / Mar 15, 2026, 12:58 (IST)

Sourav Ganguly reflects on India's historic 2001 Eden Gardens Test win against Australia, calling it a 'freak Test match' that ignited a transformation in Indian cricket. He highlights how the victory, coupled with winning the series, boosted the team's confidence and paved the way for future overseas successes and the emergence of new talent.

TOI Exclusive | ‘Playing for India, mind becomes stronger than the body’: VVS Laxman recounts his epic Eden knock in 2001

TNN / Mar 13, 2026, 09:09 (IST)

VVS Laxman recounts his iconic 281 at Eden Gardens, a knock that defied a severe back spasm and halted Australia's winning streak. He details how net sessions with quality spinners prepared him, the crucial role of physio Andrew Leipus, and the strategic partnership with Rahul Dravid. This epic innings, born from resilience and belief, revitalised Indian cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar on Eden 2001: Steve Waugh's mighty Aussies, Laxman-Dravid magic, and his 'out-of-the-box' spell

TNN / Mar 15, 2026, 11:19 (IST)

Twenty-five years on, Sachin Tendulkar revisits India's iconic 2001 Eden Gardens Test win against Australia. He recalls the team's belief after a Mumbai defeat, the magic of Laxman and Dravid's partnership, and his own surprise bowling spell that broke Australia's resistance. This victory significantly boosted India's confidence and remains a career highlight.

TOI Exclusive | ‘VVS Laxman and I were not big talkers in the middle’: Rahul Dravid recalls 2001 Eden Gardens Test vs Australia

TNN / Mar 12, 2026, 10:03 (IST)

Rahul Dravid reflects on the iconic Eden Gardens Test victory against Australia, highlighting the tactical brilliance of batting at No. 6 and his marathon partnership with VVS Laxman. He emphasises how this monumental win, a testament to team effort and resilience, proved a significant turning point for Indian cricket, instilling belief and paving the way for future successes.

‘Milestones don’t matter, trophies do’: Gautam Gambhir on why individual records shouldn’t define Indian cricket

TNN / Mar 10, 2026, 09:35 (IST)

Gautam Gambhir, fresh off a T20 World Cup triumph, emphasized team success over individual accolades, stating, 'Trophies matter.' He championed a 'high-risk, high-reward' aggressive batting approach, rejecting fear of defeat. Gambhir also dismissed social media influence, focusing solely on the dressing room. He dedicated the win to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

25 years of India vs Australia Eden Gardens Test: And thus died the follow-on, or did it?

TNN / Mar 16, 2026, 09:23 (IST)

India’s fightback at the Eden Gardens did make captains and teams wary of enforcing the follow-on. Australia, even under successful captains like Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist enforced it just four times out of the 14 in which they had a choice to do so. Steve Waugh though enforced it seven times post Kolkata and won every Test!

'Are you serious?': Sachin Tendulkar’s reaction after BCCI selectors told him it was time to move on

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 12, 2026, 15:03 (IST)

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar faced a tough phase in 2012. Poor form and team defeats led to discussions about his future. The BCCI selection committee chairman met with Tendulkar. This led to Tendulkar's retirement from ODIs and later Tests. He retired from international cricket after a long career, leaving behind numerous records.

‘I was born in Punjab, but made in Kolkata’: Harbhajan Singh reflects on historic 2001 Eden Gardens Test

Mar 11, 2026, 10:04 (IST)

Recounting a historic Test, Harbhajan Singh details his pivotal role in India's victory against Australia. He describes dismissing key batsmen like Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist, leading to his career-defining hat-trick. The spinner highlights VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's monumental partnership and his own crucial wickets, including the controversial dismissal of Glenn McGrath, ultimately changing his life forever.

25 years of the historic 2001 India vs Australia Test: A rebirth at Eden Gardens

TNN / Mar 11, 2026, 10:29 (IST)

Twenty-five years ago, a struggling Indian cricket team, reeling from scandal, hosted Steve Waugh's formidable Australians. Against all odds, a remarkable turnaround at Eden Gardens, spearheaded by captain Sourav Ganguly and a young Harbhajan Singh, ignited a new era for Indian cricket, forever changing its destiny and inspiring a nation.

Mohit among spinners for specialist camp under Harbhajan

TNN / Mar 06, 2026, 00:19 (IST)

Arjun Tendulkar-Saaniya Chandhok wedding ceremony: Time, venue, and list of guests

TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 04, 2026, 21:37 (IST)

Arjun Tendulkar will marry entrepreneur Saaniya Chandhok on March 5, 2026, with celebrations beginning March 3 across Jamnagar and Mumbai. After a private 2025 engagement, the multi-day wedding includes a grand puja and a star-studded guest list featuring political leaders, cricket legends and industrialists, while the family keeps most arrangements private.