Gritty debut (1996)

VVS Laxman made his debut against South Africa in Ahmedabad, making a nervous 11 runs in the first innings but an unruffled 51 in the second innings set up India's victory in a low-scoring game.

Tough overseas tour (1997)

With the middle order packed with greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, M. Azharuddin and Sourav Ganguly, Laxman was forced to open the innings where he got a mediocre success eventually leading to his axing from the team. He was then picked a year later against Australia, where he scored an impressive 95 at Kolkata first up. But, a string of failures followed thereafter.

ODI debut (1998)

Laxman made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe, but got out for a first ball duck. The match though is best remembered for M. Azharuddin’s spectacular 153 runs.

Re-inventing in Ranji(1999-2000)

After being dropped from the Indian team, Laxman made amends with a spectacular Ranji season scoring 1415 runs, the most ever in a single season.

An Australian safari begins(2000)

An elegant and classy 167 off 198 balls in the second innings of the third Test of a disappointing Australian tour did not stop the hosts to clean sweep the series, but VVS Laxman finally announced himself at the grand stage.

Very, Very Special innings(2001)

The number 281 would be etched in every Indian’s memory, and this was the Very, Very Special innings by Laxman against Austria at the Eden Gardens. An epic knock which resulted in a stunning ‘back from the dead’ victory for India.

Grinding it out at Kolkata (2002)

Against West Indies, Laxman showed resilience of the highest order by scoring 154 from 396 balls and playing out five sessions along with Sachin Tendulkar and then with the tail to ensure that his team does not lose.

The Australian safari continues (2003- 2004)

With Rahul Dravid, Laxman knitted a resolute 303-run partnership in Adelaide, then a glittering 178 in Sydney and a triple-century partnership with Sachin Tendulkar gives India a chance to seal the series

Surviving Mumbai minefield(2004)

Ricky Ponting called the Mumbai pitch "nowhere near to being Test standard", yet he made an intrepid 69.

Class in Sydney & Elegance in Delhi(2008)

Marred by the Monkey-gate incident, the series also witnessed batting of the highest quality and Laxman’s 109 at Sydney was a class apart. In Delhi, the same year, Laxman along with Gautam Gambhir (208) scored an elegant double

Winning Knock (2010)

Chasing a fourth innings target of 258, India were 62-4 when Laxman, hindered by back spasm, walked in and waxed lyrical. The batsman’s silken touch and inner steel negotiated the turning track and his own physical battle to take India to an improbable win.

Facing the pace battery (2010)

Laxman stood tall against the South African pace battery of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe who were bowling with venomous fury on a pitch tailor made for them. His fighting 96 helped India to 87-run victory, their first in Durban and only second Test win in South Africa.