10 things you might not know about VVS Laxman

Despite being so classical in style and artistically sound in technique, Laxman was an under rated batsman in a star-studded batting order, but eventually ended up as someone who overly achieved in terms of his contributions towards the winning cause of the team. He had developed the art of creating milestones that were not just memorable but were also historically important for the team.The path he chose towards greatness, however, is starkly different from the ones his teammates took - having to bide his time in sporting mediocrity for many long years, excelling in studies. As a result, not as much is known about VVS as about the other greats to have been worshipped as part of the ‘Fab 5’.Did you know that Laxman hails from the family of one of India’s Presidents? That, and some other facts about this national hero you might not have known:

#1 He did not play a single World Cup

VVS Laxman could never make it to a World Cup squad

Despite being a decent ODI batsman with more than 2000 runs and 6 centuries against his name, VVS Laxman was never considered for a 50-over World Cup squad by the national selectors. His best chance to make it there came prior to the 2003 World Cup, however, in a last minute change, Dinesh Mongia was included in the squad at the expense of Laxman.

The stylish Hyderabadi batsman considers this incident as the lowest point of his glittering career and to add to it, even then captain Sourav Ganguly regrets not having picked him and admits that it was a huge mistake.

#2 He scored his first century in both Tests and ODIs against Australia

VVS Laxman en route to his first Test century at Sydney in 1999

VVS Laxman’s love affair with the Australians is not hidden from anyone, but did you know that his first century in both formats that he played has been against the Kangaroos? His maiden Test century was a fighting 167, India’s only takeaway in an innings defeat against the mighty Aussies at Sydney.

The first ODI century for Laxman came in the decider of a home bilateral series against the team from Down Under, where he got 101 and steered his team to 265, but unfortunately, the result was an eventual loss for India.

#3 He scored a duck in his first and last ODIs

Laxman did not trouble the scorers in both his 1st and last ODI

One of the very very special batsman’s not so special distinction is the fact that he was dismissed for a duck in his very first One Day International and also in his last one. On both occasions it was against an African nation, the first being Zimbabwe and the latter being South Africa.

Mpumelelo Mbangwa and Shaun Pollock were the two bowlers who were responsible for Laxman’s dubious record.

#4 He is the nephew of a former President of India

The Indian batting legend is the nephew of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

One of the very less known facts about the member of India’s Fab Five is that he is the nephew of India’s second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. No wonder he went on to emulate his uncle in terms of greatness in his own field.

#5 He has 2 wickets against his name in Tests

Laxman has two wickets in Tests

There were a few rare occasions on which captains have asked VVS Laxman to bowl and he has 2 wickets to show for his efforts wth the ball in hand. His right arm off-break fetched him the scalps of two tail-enders, Adam Sanford of West Indies and Mohammed Sami of Pakistan.

#6 He was a science genius in his schooldays

Laxman excelled in science during his school days

Most sportsmen across the world have a history of not doing too well in their studies, but India’s very very special batsman is an exception. He is known to have secured 98% in his 10th standard Science examination.

#7 He returned to domestic cricket as he did not want to open the innings for India

Laxman did not play international cricket for a year as he didn’t want to open

During the first 4 years of his Test career, VVS Laxman had enjoyed decent success opening the innings. This included his first century, the 167 he made in Sydney. But somehow, the Hyderabadi genius was not too happy opening the batting.

For this reason, he decided to return to domestic cricket and played there for close to a year before he was recalled to the Test side and handed a role in the middle order as per his preference.

#8 He has hit just 9 sixes in his career

VVS was miserly to say the least when it came to hitting sixes

You do not associate VVS Laxman with sixes too often and this is proved when you look at his statistics. He has hit a total of 9 international sixes in his entire career and seeing him hit a six was as rare as seeing Chris Gayle not hit one.

#9 He scored a century in his final First Class innings

VVS Laxman ended his First Class career with a century

Apart from having a memorable international career, VVS Laxman scored heavily in his domestic career too. Having relieved himself from national duties, the Indian legend played the first two matches of the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season for his home team, Hyderabad, and went on to score 120 in a match against Madhya Pradesh.

It turned out to be his final innings in First Class cricket.

#10 It took him more than 3 years to score his first Test ton

Laxman acknowledges the Sydney crowd after his maiden century

The champion batsman did not exactly have a dream start to his career. It took VVS Laxman more than 3 years and 29 innings after his Test debut in 1996 to score his first century, which was the 167 against Australia at Sydney.