VVS Laxman is one of the finest batters of all time for India. He was overshadowed by Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. During his time, he has been one of the most impactful players for India in times of crisis situations. He has played some of the important Test knocks for the Men in Blue and led India through in some games single handedly.
He was not given chances in the ODIs as much in Test. But in the 86 ODIs matches he played for the two-time World Champions, he scored 2,338 and had a decent average of 30.76.
Here are the top 3 ODI innings played by VVS Laxman:
3. 106* vs Australia in Sydney in 2004
VVS has played some of his brilliant innings against the Aussies whether in Test or ODIs. In the 7th match of the VB series in 2004 India toured Australia, won the game as Yuvraj Singh scored a brilliant 139 runs and was supported by an innings by Laxman.
He played a knock of 106 runs and was unbeaten and stitched a partnership of 210 runs with the southpaw and posted a total of 296/4 in 50 overs and India successfully defended the target. Laxman smashed 5 fours in his innings.
2. 107 vs Pakistan in Lahore in 2004
In the match against arch-rivals Pakistan VVS scored a hundred in the fifth ODI and the final ODI at Lahore. He scored 107 runs off 104 deliveries. After being invited to bat first India posted a total of 293/7. With Laxman scoring a ton.
India lost wickets of the openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early. But a 92 run partnership with Sourav Ganguly helped them to score past 250 runs. India won the match by 40 runs. As the Men in Green were bowled out 253 runs.
1. 131 vs Zimbabwe in Adelaide in 2004
VVS has scored six ODI centuries against three teams including four against Australia. His highest score of 131 came against Zimbabwe at the Adelaide Oval in 2004 in the VB series. India were struggling for 4/3 at one stage when VVS Laxman played his best ODI innings of his career.
He not only saved India’s innings but also helped them score a total of 280/7. In reply two Zimbabwe batters, Stuart Carlisle and Sean Ervine scored hundreds but India won the match by three runs.