VVS Laxman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
VVS Laxman

Laxman in 1999
Personal information
Full name	Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman
Born	(1974-11-01) 1 November 1974 (age 50) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (present–day Telangana), India
Nickname	Very Very Special
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm off spin
Role	Top-order batsman
International information
National side	India (1996–2012)
Test debut (cap 209)	20 November 1996 v South Africa
Last Test	24 January 2012 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 112)	9 April 1998 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI	3 December 2006 v South Africa
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1992/93–2012/13	Hyderabad
2007–2009	Lancashire
2008/09	Otago
2008–2010	Deccan Chargers
2011	Kochi Tuskers Kerala
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 134 86 267 173 Runs scored 8,781 2,338 19,730 5,078 Batting average 45.97 30.76 51.64 34.54 100s/50s 17/56 6/10 55/98 9/28 Top score 281 131 353 153 Balls bowled 324 42 1,835 698 Wickets 2 0 22 8 Bowling average 63.00 – 34.27 68.50 5 wickets in innings 0 – 0 0 10 wickets in match 0 – 0 0 Best bowling 1/2 – 3/11 2/42 Catches/stumpings 135/– 39/– 277/1 74/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  India ICC Champions Trophy Winner 2002 Sri Lanka ACC Asia Cup Runner-up 2004 Sri Lanka
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 30 January 2012

Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman (born 1 November 1974) is an Indian former international cricket player. He was also a cricket commentator and expert. Laxman was a right-handed batsman known for his elegant style of play. He usually batted in the middle of the batting order in Test cricket. Many people consider him one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket history.

Today, Laxman is the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He also coaches the India Under-19 and India A teams. Laxman was part of the Indian team that won the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. They shared the title with Sri Lanka.

Laxman is one of the few cricketers who played 100 Test matches but never played in a Cricket World Cup. Even though he was a bit slow when running between the wickets, he made up for it with his amazing shots and quick scoring. In 2002, he was named one of Wisden's five best Cricketers of the Year. He was also seen as one of the original "Fab Four" of Indian cricket.

In India, Laxman played for Hyderabad. He also played for Lancashire in England. He was the first captain of the Deccan Chargers team in the Indian Premier League. Later, he played for the Kochi Tuskers. He was a mentor for the Sunrisers Hyderabad until 2021. Fans often call him the 'God of 4th Innings' because of his great performances in Test matches.

In 2011, Laxman received the Padma Shri award. This is India's fourth highest award for civilians. He retired from international cricket in 2012.

About VVS Laxman's Life

Laxman was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. This area is now known as Telangana. His parents, Shantaram and Satyabhama, were doctors from Vijayawada. Laxman is also related to Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was India's second President.

Laxman went to Little Flower High School in Hyderabad. He even started medical school for his college studies. However, he chose to make cricket his career instead.

He married G. R. Shailaja on February 16, 2004. She had studied Computer Applications. They have two children together.

Laxman's Cricket Style

Laxman was known for his smooth, strong, and aggressive batting style. Sambit Bal from ESPN Cricinfo said that watching Laxman bat was "a sight for the gods." He had amazing wrist work and could hit the ball to different parts of the field. He was very good against both fast and spin bowlers.

Laxman stood tall and still at the crease. He knew exactly where the off-stump was and could hit bad balls easily. He batted with a high elbow and a steady stance. His technique was perfect, and he played with natural grace. Early in his career, Geoffrey Boycott called him one of India's best players against the new, hard ball.

Indian selectors often changed his batting position. He played in almost every spot, even as an opener. But Laxman found his best place in the middle order. He played most of his best innings batting at numbers 3, 5, and 6. In a 2001 Test against Australia, he scored 281 runs. This happened after India was forced to follow on, meaning they had to bat again right away. This huge score helped India take a big lead.

Laxman often batted with players who were not specialist batsmen. He was able to save and win many matches for India with their help. For example, in the Mohali 2010 Test against Australia, he played a crucial role.

Laxman's Early Cricket Career

Laxman first played for India Under-19s in February 1994 against Australia. He scored 88 runs in his first game. He faced bowlers like Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, who were also playing their first game. In the second game, Laxman scored 151 not out and 77 runs. This helped his team win by 226 runs. He was the top run-scorer in that series.

Later that year, the India Under-19 team went to England. Laxman scored 119 runs in the first Test match. He didn't do as well in the one-day games.

Playing for Local Teams

Laxman started his first-class career for Hyderabad in 1992–93. He didn't score many runs in his first few matches. But after his good performances for India Under-19s, he was chosen for the South Zone team.

In the 1995–96 season, Laxman scored 121 runs in a semi-final match. He had a great partnership with captain Rahul Dravid. The next year, he scored 775 runs in just 11 games. He made three centuries, including 203 not out against Karnataka. Because of his strong performances, he was chosen for the Indian Test team in 1996.

After playing for India, he joined Lancashire in England. He scored 380 runs in 5 matches, with two centuries. He was supposed to play for Nottinghamshire, but the BCCI (India's cricket board) stopped it. This was because some players from a rival league were playing for Nottinghamshire.

Indian Premier League Journey

Laxman was first named an "Icon Player" for his home team, Deccan Chargers, in the first season of the IPL. But he gave up this special status. This allowed his team to spend more money on other players. The Deccan Chargers bought him for $375,000 and made him captain.

However, the team did not play well. Laxman decided to step down as captain during the season. Adam Gilchrist took over. Laxman scored 155 runs in 6 games that season. He struggled in the next two seasons and played only a few matches.

In 2011, the new team Kochi Tuskers Kerala bought Laxman for $400,000. But he got injured after only three games and missed the rest of the season. The Kochi team was later shut down. In 2012, Laxman did not find any buyers in the auction. In 2013, he became a mentor for the Sunrisers Hyderabad team.

Laxman's International Cricket Career

Starting Years (1996–2000)

Laxman played his first Test match in 1996 against South Africa. He scored a half-century in the second innings. He found it hard to keep his place in the Indian team. He was often asked to open the batting, starting in West Indies in 1997. He scored 64 runs as an opener in Kingston. But he didn't have consistent success in this role.

In 1998, he scored 95 against Australia while opening with Navjot Sidhu. India won that match easily. Laxman played his first One Day International (ODI) match against Zimbabwe in 1998, but he scored zero runs. He struggled in ODIs and was dropped from the team for over a year. He also struggled in Tests against Pakistan in 1999 and was dropped from the Test team too.

Laxman went back to playing first-class cricket to get his spot back. In the 1999–2000 season, he set a record for most runs in a Ranji season. He scored 1415 runs, with eight centuries. This record still stands today. Because of this, he was called back to the Indian team for a tour of Australia in 2000. He scored 167 runs in the final Test match in Sydney. This was a highlight for India in a tough tour.

The Famous 2001 Series Against Australia

Laxman's career changed a lot during the 2001 home series against Australia. In the first Test, India lost badly. Australia had won 16 Test matches in a row.

In the next Test in Kolkata, Laxman played an amazing innings. After scoring 59 in the first innings, he scored 281 runs in the second innings. India was in a very difficult position, forced to follow on. He broke Sunil Gavaskar's record for the highest score by an Indian in a Test match. This record was later broken by Virender Sehwag.

Laxman and Rahul Dravid had a record partnership of 376 runs. They batted together for the entire fourth day. India was almost certain to lose, but they went on to win the Test and the series. This was only the third time in cricket history that a team won a Test after being forced to follow on. This innings is considered one of the greatest in Indian cricket history. Wisden Cricketers' Almanack ranked it the sixth best Test innings ever.

Laxman continued his great form in the third Test in Chennai. He scored 65 and 66 runs, helping India win the series 2–1. He also did very well in the ODI series that followed. He scored 45, 51, 83, 11, and 101 runs in five games. This helped him secure his place in the ODI team.

Becoming a Regular Player (2002–2004)

Laxman then became a regular player in both the Test and ODI teams. He scored a fighting 89 runs in a Test against South Africa. This helped India avoid a very embarrassing loss. Against England in 2001, he scored 75 runs and had a big partnership with Tendulkar.

He had a great tour of West Indies, scoring 474 runs in 8 innings. He also played well when West Indies toured India. His form dipped during India's tour of New Zealand in 2002–03. However, he had a brilliant series against New Zealand in India. He scored a half-century and then 104 not out and 67 not out. He won the "Man of the Series" award for his batting.

In October 2003, he scored 102 runs in an ODI against Australia. He had a 190-run partnership with Tendulkar. He continued to perform well against Australia, especially during India's tour in 2003–04. He hit three ODI centuries and two Test centuries. He scored 148 runs in the famous Adelaide Test, sharing a huge partnership with Rahul Dravid. India won this match, their first Test victory in Australia in 20 years.

His innings of 178 in Sydney also came in a big partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. India scored their highest Test total ever in that innings. Laxman scored 494 runs in 4 Tests at an amazing average of 82. During this series, Ian Chappell called him Very Very Special Laxman. He also scored 107 runs against Pakistan in an ODI. This helped India win the series.

Later Career (2005–2012)

Laxman's form went down a bit after the series against Australia in 2004. He struggled in ODIs and was often left out of the team. This was partly because of his fielding and running between the wickets.

However, he returned to form. In December 2005, he helped India win against Sri Lanka with a century. In June 2006, he again saved India from a tough spot against the West Indies with another century. In November 2006, he scored 73 runs in South Africa, helping India win a historic match.

In 2007, he played well in England, scoring two half-centuries. He passed 5000 Test runs during this tour. In India's home series against Pakistan in 2007, Laxman scored 72 not out and then 112 runs. This helped him keep his place for the tour of Australia.

His good form continued in the 2007–08 Test series against Australia. He scored 109 runs in the controversial Sydney Test. This was his 12th Test century and fifth against Australia. It was also his third century in a row at the SCG. He then scored 79 runs in Perth, helping India win a historic match. He finished as India's second-highest run-scorer in that series.

In 2008, he struggled against spin bowlers in Sri Lanka. But against Australia later that year, he was in top form. He scored 381 runs in 4 Tests, including a double-century and two half-centuries. In Delhi, he scored 200 not out. He and Gautam Gambhir became the first Indian pair to score double-centuries in the same innings. This was his second double-century against Australia. He was named "Man of the Match."

Laxman continued his great form in 2009. He scored 76 and 124 not out in New Zealand. This century helped India draw the match. Against Sri Lanka later that year, he scored three half-centuries.

In January 2010, he got injured in Bangladesh after scoring a half-century. He returned for the final Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He scored 143 not out in a record partnership with MS Dhoni. India won the Test in the last minutes, drawing the series and staying the world's number one team. He also passed 7000 Test runs.

In August 2010, Laxman helped India level the series against Sri Lanka. He scored 103 not out to win the Third Test. He was named "Man of the Match." In October, he again helped India win a match against Australia in Mohali. India was in trouble, but Laxman scored 73 not out. He was injured and missed the rest of the series.

In November, he helped India recover from a bad start against New Zealand. He scored 74 runs in his home ground in Hyderabad.

After struggling in the first Test of the South African tour, Laxman helped India win a historic match in Durban. He scored 96 runs in the second innings, helping India set a target of 303. India won by 87 runs. He was named "Man of the Match."

In June 2011, Laxman scored three consecutive half-centuries against the West Indies.

Laxman with fans at Teri University, New Delhi.

Retirement from Cricket

During India's tour to England, Laxman scored only two half-centuries. India lost the series 0–4. This was India's first Test series loss since 2007–08.

In September 2011, Laxman scored a great 176 not out against West Indies. India won the match easily, and Laxman was named "Man of the Match."

Laxman did not perform well during India's tour of Australia in 2011. India lost 0–4. For the first time in four tours to Australia, Laxman did not score a century.

After this series, some people in the media and former cricketers suggested that older players like Laxman, Dravid, and Sachin should retire.

On August 18, 2012, Laxman announced he was retiring from international cricket. He chose not to play in the upcoming New Zealand series. He said he would still play domestic cricket for Hyderabad and in the Indian Premier League. The northern stand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium was later named after him.

Laxman's Record Against Australia

Laxman was especially good against Australia in both Tests and ODIs. Six of his 17 Test centuries and four of his six ODI centuries were against Australia. He scored two double-centuries in Tests, both against Australia. The Australians even said they didn't know where to bowl to him.

Laxman's Bowling

Laxman was not a regular bowler. He only took 2 wickets in his entire Test career. One was against the West Indies, and the other was against Pakistan.

The Cricket Advisory Committee

Laxman is a member of a special three-person group. This group includes himself, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly. It is called the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the BCCI. This committee gives advice to the BCCI on different cricket matters. They use their vast experience to help.

The CAC has made important decisions. For example, they recommended Anil Kumble as coach (who later stepped down). They also recommended Ravi Shastri for the coach position.

Laxman was also a batting consultant for the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB)'s Vision 2020 project.

Laxman's Centuries in International Matches

Laxman played his first Test match in November 1996. It took him almost four years to score his first century. He scored 167 runs against Australia in Sydney in 2000. His next century was 281 runs against the same team in Kolkata in 2001. This is the highest score by an Indian in a Test match against Australia. It was also the highest score by an Indian at that time.

In Test matches, Laxman has scored centuries against almost all Test-playing nations. He has two double centuries. He was also dismissed four times when he was between 90 and 99 runs in Test matches.

In ODIs, Laxman has scored six centuries. Four of these were against Australia. His first ODI century was against Australia in 2001. His highest ODI score was 131 runs against Zimbabwe in 2004. Two of his ODI centuries were scored in India, and four were in other countries. He was dismissed once when he was between 90 and 99 runs in an ODI.

Laxman scored his highest runs and five centuries in Test cricket at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Symbol	Meaning
*	Remained not out (meaning he was still batting when the innings ended)
	Man of the match (best player in the game)
Pos.	Position in the batting order
Inn.	The innings of the match (first, second, third, or fourth time a team bats)
Test	The number of the Test match played in that series
S/R	Strike rate during the innings (how fast runs were scored)
H/A/N	Venue was at home (India), away (opponent's country), or neutral
Date	Match starting day
Lost	The match was lost by India
Won	The match was won by India
Drawn	The match ended in a draw (no team won)

List of Test centuries

No	Score	Against	Pos	Inn	Test	Venue	H/A/N	Date	Result	Ref
1	&10000000000001670000000 167	Australia	1	3	3	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	4 January 2000	Lost
2	&10000000000002810000000 281	Australia	3	3	2	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Home	13 March 2001	Won
3	&10000000000001300000000 130	West Indies	6	1	4	Antigua Recreation Ground, St John's	Away	11 May 2002	Drawn
4	&10000000000001541000000 154*	West Indies	6	3	3	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Home	3 November 2002	Drawn
5	&10000000000001041000000 104*	New Zealand	6	2	2	Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali	Home	20 October 2003	Drawn
6	&10000000000001480000000 148	Australia	6	2	2	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	Away	14 December 2003	Won
7	&10000000000001780000000 178	Australia	5	1	4	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	3 January 2004	Drawn
8	&10000000000001400000000 140	Zimbabwe	4	2	1	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Away	14 September 2005	Won
9	&10000000000001040000000 104	Sri Lanka	3	1	3	Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad	Home	19 December 2005	Won
10	&10000000000001000000000 100	West Indies	3	2	3	Warner Park, St Kitts	Away	25 June 2006	Drawn
11	&10000000000001121000000 112*	Pakistan	6	1	2	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Home	1 December 2007	Drawn
12	&10000000000001090000000 109	Australia	3	2	2	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	3 January 2008	Lost
13	&10000000000002001000000 200*	Australia	5	1	3	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	Home	30 October 2008	Drawn
14	&10000000000001241000000 124*	New Zealand	5	3	2	McLean Park, Napier	Away	30 March 2009	Drawn
15	&10000000000001431000000 143*	South Africa	5	2	2	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Home	16 February 2010	Won
16	&10000000000001031000000 103*	Sri Lanka	5	4	3	Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo	Away	7 August 2010	Won
17	&10000000000001761000000 176*	West Indies	5	1	2	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Home	15 November 2011	Won

List of ODI centuries

No	Score	Against	Pos	Inn	SR	Venue	H/A/N	Date	Result	Ref
1	101	Australia	3	1	94.39	Fatorda Stadium, Margao	Home	6 April 2001	Lost
2	102	Australia	3	1	76.11	Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior	Home	26 October 2003	Won
3	103*	Australia	3	1	91.15	Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane	Away	18 January 2004	Won
4	106*	Australia	3	1	81.53	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Away	22 January 2004	Lost
5	131	Zimbabwe	3	1	94.92	Adelaide Cricket Ground, Adelaide	Neutral	24 January 2004	Won
6	107	Pakistan	3	1	102.88	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	Away	24 March 2004	Won

Awards and Achievements

• Padma Shri: India's fourth highest civilian award, given in 2011.
• Arjuna Award: Given by the Government of India in 2001 for his great achievements in sports.
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year: Awarded in 2002.
• He once held the record for the most centuries (3) scored in a single ODI series.
• His innings of 281 against Australia in Kolkata in 2001 was ranked sixth among the 100 greatest Test innings by Wisden.
• He shares the record for taking the most catches (12) by a non-wicketkeeper in a single ODI series with Allan Border.
• He and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for the highest partnership (376 Runs) in the third innings of a Test match that led to a win.
• Laxman is one of only six Indian Test players to score 100 runs in a single session of a Test match.
• He is the second Indian player to score 1000 or more runs at one cricket ground. He scored 1217 runs at an average of 110.63 at Eden Gardens.
• He is the only Indian player to score 1000 runs at a single ground with an average over 100.
• He is one of only three international players (and the only Indian) to make an unbeaten fifty in both innings of a Test match more than once. The others are Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve Smith.
• Laxman received an honorary doctorate degree from Teri University, New Delhi, on February 4, 2015.