5 Highest Test scores of VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman is definitely one among the all-time greats when it comes to Test cricket. The wrist master saved his team on a number of occasions with his calm and composed innings. The way he built partnerships with tail-end batsmen and helped Indian team will forever be cherished by the fans.

Laxman featured in 134 Tests for India and scored 8481 runs at an average of 45.97 accompanied by 17 centuries and 56 half-centuries. The Hyderabadi specialist is the only player to score 1000 runs at a single ground (Eden Gardens) with an average above 100.

This article is dedicated to his batting significance as we take a look at 5 of the highest scoring innings of his Test career.

---

#5 167 vs Australia, SCG, 2000

Laxman hit his maiden Test century against his favorite Aussies

India were in Australia for a 3-Test series in 2000. Australia already won the series and the third Test was a dead-rubber. In the third Test, India won the toss and chose to bat first but were dismissed for a mere 150 runs.

In reply, Australia went on to post a huge total of 552 on the board. Justin Langer smashed a double-century and Ponting scored a century. In the third innings of the Test, India kept losing wickets at one end but at the other end, opener VVS Laxman showed patience punishing the bad deliveries, leaving the good ones.

He went on to register his maiden Test century and scored 167 off 198 with 27 fours. India got all-out for just 261 runs despite Laxman's heroics. Australia won the match by an innings and 141 runs, McGrath was awarded the Man of the Match award for his 10-wicket haul.

#4 176* vs West Indies, Eden Gardens, 2011

Laxman smashed the final century of his Test career against West Indies

India hosted West Indies for a 3-Test series in 2011. India won the first Test by 5 wickets and were looking to clinch the series. In the second test, after winning the toss, India chose to bat first. The famous duo of Laxman and Dravid registered key centuries to take India to a huge total of 631 for the loss of 7 wickets before they decided to declare. Laxman smashed 176* off 280 balls with only 12 fours. Dravid scored 119 off 207.

West Indies in their reply were bundled out for just 153 runs. Ojha ripped through the batting line up and picked up 4 wickets. India enforced the follow-on and in their second innings, West Indies scored 463 all-out and lndia won the game by an innings and 15 runs.

VVS Laxman was awarded the Man of the Match for his scintillating knock that put India in a commanding position. India went on to win the series, 2-0.

#3 178 vs Australia, SCG, 2004

VVS' 178 lifted India's total to 705

India visited Australia for a 4-Test series. The series was tied at one-apiece after three tests and the focus shifted to the final Test. In the fourth Test, Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first. India were at 194-3 at one stage but the duo of Sachin and Laxman lifted India to a mammoth total of 705-8 before declaring. Sachin scored a double-ton and finished with 241 off 436. Laxman scored 178 off 298 balls accompanied by 30 fours.

In return, Australia were all-out for 474 in the first innings. Simon Katich was the top-scorer with 125. India then batted for the second time and declared at 211-2 setting a target of 443 for the hosts.

Australia scored 357 for the loss of 6 wickets and the match was drawn. Tendulkar won the Man of the Match award for his double-century in the first innings.

#2 200* vs Australia, Delhi, 2008

3rd Test - India v Australia: Day 5

The Aussies were in India for a 4-Test series in 2008. India were up 1-0 in the series after two tests and the Kangaroos were looking for a revenge. In the third test, India won the toss and chose to bat first. The home team lost two wickets in quick succession and were left reeling at 27-2. Gambhir stitched up a 130-run partnership with Tendulkar before the latter got dismissed for 68.

Laxman who then walked in went on to score a double-ton and added 278-runs for the fourth wicket with the Delhi batsman. Laxman remained unbeaten on 200 off 301 balls with 21 fours. Gambhir scored 206 off 380 deliveries and India declared at 613-7.

In return, Aussies scored 577 runs in their first innings before they got all-out, on the back of Clarke's 112. The match eventually ended in a draw and Laxman was adjudged the Man of the Match for his heroics.

#1 281 vs Australia, Eden Gardens, 2001

Laxman's 281 will be remembered forever by cricketing fraternity

Australia visited India for a 3-Test series in 2001. The visitors won the first Test, on the back of Hayden's century and the hosts were looking to make a comeback into the series. In the second Test, Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. The visitors scored 445 before they were all-out. Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 7/123.

In return, India got bundled out for only 171 with McGrath picking up 4 wickets for just 18 runs. The visitors enforced the follow-on and India came out to bat for their second innings. India were off to a shaky start and were struggling at 115-3. The Hyderabadi who top-scored in the first innings with 59 built crucial partnerships with Ganguly and Dravid.

The Laxman-Dravid duo added huge 376-runs for the 5th wicket. Laxman scored 281 off 452 balls with 44 fours. Dravid scored 180 off 353 with 20 fours. India declared at 657-7, setting a target of 384 for the Aussies.

In the final innings of the Test, Harbhajan once again spun a web and registered 6/73 to dismiss Australia for just 212 runs. India won the game by 171 runs and VVS Laxman was awarded the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 281 and even today, it is widely praised as one of the greatest Test innings of all-time. India leveled the series, 1-1 and then went on to win the third Test, clinching the series, 2-1.