7 'must-know' amazing stories of legendary Indian cricketers

#6 VVS Laxman wasn’t fit to play the Kolkata Test in ‘01

VVS Laxman in action

VVS Laxman’s 281 vs. Australia at Kolkata in 2001 is widely regarded as one of the greatest innings ever played in Test matches. It is certainly the best innings played by an Indian batsman. VVS did not only play a magical knock, but also stitched an equally great partnership (376) with Rahul Dravid (180) to make the famous Australian bowling line-up go wicket-less on the 4th day of the Test match. India went on to create a rare happenstance where a team won a Test match after being asked to ‘Follow-on.’

What many fans may not know is that VVS wasn’t supposed to play in the match. “I was not fit enough to play that Test match,” Laxman revealed later. He had some serious issues with his back.

He played the match despite the injury, and it’d be an understatement to say that he played well. Obviously, it wasn’t easy as he was struggling throughout the innings; but that prompted him to play his ‘natural game’. He also added that Rahul Dravid kept him motivated throughout the innings.

VVS Laxman is a true hero, and Indian fans should thank God that VVS played that Test.