Happy Birthday Very Very Special Laxman.....

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Period and venue: January, 2006, Perth
Result: India won by 72 runs
Laxman's effort: 27 and 79
Scores
India - 330
Australia - 212
India - 294
Australia - 340
Australia virtually enjoy a stranglehold in test cricket when it comes to playing in Perth, which is why when India swamped them in 2008 at WACA, the kangaroos went underground. After gaining a first innings lead of 118 runs, India were put on the back foot by some good aggressive bowling by the Aussies early on in the second innings. At 125 for 5, the game looked open again but VVS once again cam to deny Australia any hope. His 79 ensured the Aussies were well and truly knocked out of the reckoning.

[Maximus]

Period and venue: April 2002, Port of Spain
Result: India won by 37 runs
Laxman's effort: 69 n.o and 74
Scores
India - 339
West Indies - 245
India - 218
West Indies - 275
India usually struggle in the Caribbean but love playing in Port of Spain, Trinidad. It was after all the same venue where India had achieved the-then world record for the chase in the 4th innings. This series again set the tone for the Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team as they went into a lead after this win (But, they lost 2 of their last 3 tests to lose the series). After gaining a first innings lead of 94 runs, India started the second innings in very bad shape and in quick time were reduced to 56 for 4. VVS then joined Ganguly and put up a match-winning stand of 149 runs. Laxman scored a patient 74 batting for nearly 4 hours and helped India set a huge target for the West Indies. The importance of Laxman's knock could be understood from the fact that India in the end managed to win by just 37 runs.

[Maximus]

Period and venue: Kolkata, 2002
Result: Match drawn
Laxman's effort: 48 and 154
Scores
India - 358
West Indies - 497
India - 471 for 8 dec
Laxman may be from Hyderabad but he simply loves Kolkata. Just over a year after that miracle against Australia, India again found themselves in a spot at Eden Gardens against the West Indies. Batting first, India managed 358 but the West Indians responded with 3 players getting hundreds. India had conceded a lead of 139 runs and started the second innings in a woeful manner. Reduced to 87 for 4, India were still behind by 52 and only 6 wickets in hand. West Indies looked like they had the match in the bag until Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar had other ideas. Sachin made 176 and VVS 154 from 9 hours. Truly, a match-saving effort.

[Maximus]

Period and venue: December, 2006/ Johannesburg
Result: India won by 123 runs
Laxman's effort: 28 and 73
Scores
India - 249
South Africa - 84
India - 236
South Africa - 278
It was the first of the 3-match series and India started like a team on a mission. They made a respectable 249 on a lively wicket and then shunted out the Proteas for just 84. The South Africans bounced back in the second innings when Ntini and Nel had India on the mat at 61 for 4. Laxman then stemmed the rot with many

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Scores a vital 51 in the second innings of his debut Test against South Africa.

His first overseas trip, a tour to the West Indies is a mixed bag. Laxman opens the batting for the first time and scores a fifty. He is dropped after the Windies series.

Scores 95 against Australia at Eden Gardens and announces his return to Test cricket.

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Sculpts a memorable knock of 167 at the SCG in what was a disastrous tour for India. Even though the massive innings comes at the opening position, Laxman states he wants a place in the Indian middleorder.

The epic 281 arrives in the second innings. India post a miracle win against Australia at the Eden Gardens. Laxman, Kolkata become inseparable for eternity.

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Breaks the 18-month long century-less streak with an unbeaten 154-run knock against the touring West Indians. Its Eden Gardens again.

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The Kolkata boys--Dravid and Laxman combine and torment Australia once again. This time, Laxman plays the supporting role. VVS' 178 along with Dravid's 233 sets up one of India's finest victories on foreign soil in the Adelaide Test.

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Laxman dazzles in the ODI series Down Under. He scores three centuries in the VB Series and makes a point on his non-inclusion in the 2003 World Cup squad.

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Laxman's 73 sets up a 402-run target for South Africa in the Johannesburg Test after Sreesanth bowls out the hosts for 84 in the first innings. India wins the Test by 123 runs

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Mesmerizes the Australians once again but India stumble in Sydney. Laxman scores 109 in the Test match which is now remembered for the Monkey-gate.

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The second-innings specialist comes to the fore once again. Laxman makes 79 and India record a famous win in Perth.

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Australia tour India and VVS is at it again. At Kotla Laxman sizzles and compiles an unbeaten 200.

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Once more it's Eden Gardens. Once more it's Laxman. And once more it's a mammoth innings. This time SA suffer as VVS scores 143* and India draw level with an innings victory in the two-match Test series.

[Maximus]

In the final Test in Colombo, VVS Laxman battles with an injured back, scores his first century in Sri Lanka, tames his nemesis in Ajantha Mendis and shoulders India to a series-leveling win against the home side.