Tendulkar pushed India to defend the total and look to win the Test. In the last Test which was also the series decider, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar scored double centuries. This led to failure in chasing down a total and also in the series. While the others floundered, Sachin continued with his aggression.
The second Test played at Adelaide in the month of December 99 consisted of two shorter Tests from the usual longer format of five days. The next tour was in the year 1999-2000 and as usual, he was picked for the tour to Australia, soft conditions again aided him in scoring runs. But he has also failed consistently time and again more so than simply being inconsistent.
VVS, or Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman as he is officially known, has the Asian continent and beyond in joyful rapture at the memory of his establishment. To add to that exquisite recent Lankan abject defeat dance of hockey, VVS Laxman now looks almost certain to add one more to the annual dose of stubborn resistance exhibited by the 25 or so British women captives evading too vanquished too soon. Seldom butterflies are given the importance that they deserve.
VVS Laxman’s propensity of not facing the new ball was antagonistic to his openers DNA. Laxman however pilloried heads out to England, India jacket holding the astonished batsmen for moral justice. Nonetheless, Munaf Patels bowling rescue this day did. This was not just another day out but also packed in promising little sunshine at victory and absolute believe.
When VVS Laxman was ducking a bouncer delivered by Glenn McGrath, the helmet guard was struck, but this did not stop Laxman from stroking the full deliveries on the covers cut in the SCG outfield. On short pitched balls, Laxman used to stand tall, and he pulled the ball perfectly off the outside off-stump through the square mid-wicket fence. There was very good timing and placing off the line on Laxman’s bat whether it was a delicate flick of the pads or hitting the line through the shot.
Laxman got to the fifty mark within just 55 balls, and half-century at that one pulling through to the mid-wicket fence. There was that footwork that every purist would not always be delighted in that innings. But when a gentle caress of the off-side and underspin against sorcery was done to Shane Warne’s leg spinners through mid-wicket to an outturned foot, McGrath’s outswingers which were almost overhead floor balls were rather sweaty relievers used to make every one of them wonder that they were witnessing something great.
Despite oppression from the wickets falling at the other end, Laxman went for his shots and brought up his first century of the day from 114 balls including 16 boundaries. Another remarkable thing about Laxman’s inning was that he reached his 150 very quickly off 172 balls but finally fell for 167 as he was caught behind off Lee by Adam Gilchrist and was given a great reception from the fans at the SCG.
The ease with which he scored runs left Laxman so exhilarated that at the end of the innings Justin Langer ran to Laxman and congratulated him. Lee followed suit along with the other Aussie players who appreciated Laxman on reaching the tunnel.
That very very special title which the Australian has grown used to over a greater part of his career was perhaps bestowed upon him that day at the SCG and the knock was just a taster to an incredible inning that was to follow against India at Eden Gardens in March 2001.
VVS Laxman made six tons against Australia in Tests proving the curve he carried over his career. The other side of Laxman’s game which was based on tremendous technique was his capacity to perform against legendary quicks such as Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie as well as spin demon Shane Warne.
VVS Laxman has put forth many performances that are timeless in the history of cricket that includes crucial innings in the pressure cooker situations, which makes him one of the best amongst the Indian batsmen when playing against Australia.
