A celebration of Laxman's unforgettable 281 against Australia and the impact it had on Indian cricket
As VVS Laxman turns 50, cricket fans all around the world are brought back to that unforgettable March 2001, when a tall, graceful right-hander redefined what it meant to be a match-winner. Laxman's records, which include 134 Tests and 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97, may not wholly represent his batting flair or aptitude for delivering when the stakes were highest.
A Very Very Special birthday to the legend VVS Laxman! 🎂
— Ravi Kumar Mandal (@RaviKrMandalBJP) November 2, 2023
May your birthday be as elegant as your strokeplays! 🏏@VVSLaxman281 pic.twitter.com/HKnxQ6uknA
However, his 281-run knock against Australia at Eden Gardens stands out as a masterpiece that changed the direction of Indian cricket forever. During this historic knock, Laxman won the respect and admiration of the extraordinary Australians, who found themselves at the mercy of a Very Very Special man.
The tale goes like this: India was playing Australia, a team with an almost unstoppable aura surrounding it. They had won 16 straight Tests, and the second Test of the series at Eden Gardens was on course for their 17th triumph. After India's terrible first innings, in which they scored only 171 against Australia's 445, it appeared like all hope had been gone. The Australians forced the follow-on, and Indian supporters braced for another heavy defeat.
But cricket is a game of tremendous uncertainty, and heroes may emerge from the most dismal situations.
When India began their second innings, the aim was simple: survival. The scoreboard read 232 for 4 when Rahul Dravid joined Laxman at the crease. The job appeared overwhelming, but the two batted with grit and determination, which has since become legendary. Laxman, in particular, was in exquisite form, delivering an innings that blended flair and faultless technique. Dravid, too, contributed to stabilising the partnership and complimenting Laxman's boldness with solid defence.
Together, they scored 376 runs, shifting the match's momentum. For Australian bowlers like Jason Gillespie, it was a moment of surprise. He subsequently stated that the environment in the Australian camp became heated. Laxman's wristy flicks and gorgeous drives tortured Shane Warne and company as India overcame the deficit.
When Laxman left after a gruelling 10-and-a-half-hour stint at the crease, he had scored 281, the highest individual Test score by an Indian at the time. Dravid's 180 was as important. By the end of the fourth day, India had 589 for 4, a 315-run lead. Australia's reputation of invincibility was beginning to erode.
Tendulkar’s bowling did another wonder during the Historic Kolkata Test vs Australia in 2001. Australia were five down when Ganguly gave the ball to Sachin. Sachin made the most of this opportunity and dismissed Hayden, Gilchrist & Warne in span of 13 balls! pic.twitter.com/gPqPoPVhpw
— A. (@abhay3_) May 6, 2021
On the fifth day, India bowled Australia out for 212, with Harbhajan Singh grabbing crucial wickets and Tendulkar contributing with his golden arm. The hosts prevailed by 171 runs, becoming only the third side in Test history to win after a follow-on.
That innings of 281 did more than simply win a Test match; it instilled fresh confidence in the Indian squad and its supporters. It proved that Australia could be defeated and that Indian cricket had the fortitude to battle back, even under difficult circumstances. The victory in Eden Gardens changed the balance of power, upending Australia's dominance and giving India a confidence boost that would last for years.
Years after that great Test, Laxman's 281-run innings stands out for its brilliance and what it represented—a turning point against a supposedly unstoppable squad. It revealed a side of Laxman that personified perseverance and elegance under duress, traits that Indian cricket would rely on in the years ahead.
