Greatest Test innings by Indian batsmen post-2007 that wasn't a century

#3 VVS Laxman 96 vs South Africa, 2010

Laxman's 96 facilitated India to achieve a historic victory against South Africa

VVS Laxman is often renowned for his epic 281 in Eden Gardens and his other blistering innings against Australians. However, his 96 against the Proteas on a difficult Durban track deserves as much praise as his other knocks.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 205 and in return, Indians bowled out South Africans for a mere 131, gaining a lead of 74 runs. In the third innings, India got off to the worst possible start, losing quick wickets in succession. Reduced to 93 for 5, India were staring at yet another overseas defeat. Laxman though stood rock solid at one end and tackled the Protea pacers beautifully.

On a difficult and bouncy track where the South African fast bowlers were literally breathing fire, Laxman brought in his rich experience as he went about his business of piling on the runs and finding the boundary at regular intervals. Despite the fact that wickets kept on falling at the other end, Laxman ensured that he took team India to a respectable total.

The significance of his knock appears much more magnified while considering the fact that the second highest scorer in the innings was 32. Eventually, India set up a target of 303 and bowled out South Africa for 215, thanks to terrific spells by Zaheer and Sreesanth. Laxman was India's highest scorer in both the innings and when one considers the extremely difficult nature of the bouncy Durban track, this should go down as one of the best innings played by an Indian batsman outside the subcontinent.