Former Indian test cricketer VVS Laxman needs no introduction. He is a veteran cricketer and remained an indispensable member of Indian test team for the last 16-years. The stylish right handed batman is known for his impeccable timing and placement but his illustrious career has remained an unfulfilled one despite all the records and statistics.
Cricket World Cup: A Laxman Rekha that VVS could not cross ever
One of the finest batsmen in the history of test cricket and having played 134 tests, the wristy Hyderabadi cricketer never failed to woo his fans worldwide. Unfortunately he could not make it to the final 11 of Indian squad in any of the editions of the world cups. It might be surprising but a harsh reality that every cricket fan will have to accept.
The ever smiling face of the 40-year-old veteran batsman has given us so many reasons to rejoice at India’s victory in tests and ODIs at home and abroad but the player has been completely overlooked in India’s World Cup squads during his entire career. Even VVS Laxman has also admitted it few years back that his omission from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 was a matter of huge disappointment for him.
Nicknamed as Very Very Special, the classy batsman announced his retirement in 2012 but his 16-years long career will always remain an unfulfilled one. Considering Laxman’s overall form in ODIs, he was always an asset for team India. He has played 86 One Day matches and maintained a steady average of 31 which is a satisfactory one. During 2002-2003 the batsman was in explosive form. Yet, he was not selected in India’s 2003 world cup squad.
Laxman is the only cricketer in the history of the gentlemen’s game who has played so many test matches but not a single appearance in any world cup as a team member. He is currently enjoying his role as a cricket expert for the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and can be seen sharing some of his astute wisdom about the game with the viewers on news channel.
VVS Laxman: The Very Very Special Cricketer
- Laxman is the recipient of highly prestigious Padma Shri and Arjuna award.
- The stylish batsman has scored 8781 runs in 134 tests with 17 tons and 56 fifties averaging around 46.
- He has amassed 2338 ODI runs with 6 centuries and 10 half centuries averaging 31.
- Out of Laxman’s 6 ODI tons 4 of them have come against Australia (the toughest One Day team at that time).
- His epic 281 runs at the Eden Gardens (Kolkata) against Australia in 2001 continued to be counted amongst one of the best test innings of all time.
While most of his former teammates have made it to world cup squads but luck didn’t favour this gifted cricketer. India’s 2003 World cup skipper Sourav Ganguly accepted that it was a blunder to overlook him in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 held in South Africa.
Laxman also explained that it was very unfortunate to miss the world cup despite being in good form. Few years back the ace test batman stated to a section of media that it was indeed very disappointing and depressing moment of his life.
Although history can’t be changed but the same history still rates VVS Laxman as one of the most flawless cricketers in the world. Hats off to this legend!
Tags: Cricket World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, VVS, VVS Laxman, World Cup
