The Australian side from the late 1990s to 2007 was a daunting line-up for every opponent. For the 90s kids in India, they were the most hated side due to their knack of winning games from nowhere and having the edge over India on majority of occasions.
During that span of time, Australia dominated world cricket with their ruthless approach and went onto win the 50-over World Cup thrice, on the trot, in 1999, 2003 and 2007 editions respectively. However, if there was one batsman who consistently dominated the Aussie bowling line-up during that phase, it was India’s former middle-order batsman and Test specialist VVS Laxman.
Talking about Laxman’s credentials versus the Aussies, he slammed as many as 10 international tons — overall 23 – versus the daunting Australians. In Tests, Laxman notched up 6 centuries versus the Baggy Greens, with 4 of them coming in Australia. On the other hand, the right-hander registered 4 triple-figure knocks versus the Men in Yellow in ODIs, with 3 of them coming in their own backyard.
Recalling what it was bowling to Laxman, Australia’s former pacer Brett Lee told Star Sports, “It was so hard to get through his technique, a beautiful technique wasn’t scared of the ball, had a lot of time and great foot movement.”
“He had that cheekiness about him and that cheekiness in a batsman is hard sometimes because when they’re cheeky and on song, they don’t care who’s bowling at what pace, they’ll get through it and they’ll make you pay and hurt. And VVS sort of had that knack of knowing when a person’s about to get through his spell. He would get through the tough time and then cash in when need to. It was great fun to bowl against him.”
Laxman retired from the gentlemen’s game in 2012, just ahead of India’s home series versus New Zealand.
