VVS Laxman: 5 best Test knocks against Australia

2) 79 (3rd Test at Perth; Jan 16-19,2008)

Laxman and his magic at WACA

"If you get Dravid, great. If you get Sachin, brilliant. But if you get Laxman, it's a miracle"- Steve Waugh to Brett Lee

Winning a Test match at Perth was something that always eluded India until the 3rd Test match between India and Australia in 2008. A collective effort by Indian bowlers managed to get India a lead of 118 runs as Australia were restricted to 212 in their 1st innings. However, things turned sour for India halfway through the second innings as India were 125/5. In came, to hold the fort for India, the very dependable VVS Laxman.

On a difficult pitch, he removed the sudden pressure that was suddenly on the Indian batting line-up. He stitched some crucial partnerships with the likes of Dhoni, RP Singh, and Irfan Pathan.

He punished the weaker deliveries, displayed a fantastic technique to handle pace, and kept rotating the strike to help India take a huge lead of 412 runs, much to the dismay of the Australian team.

As India put on 294 runs on the board, Laxman got dismissed by Brett Lee having contributed vital 79 runs off 156 deliveries. Chasing 412, Australia was restricted to 340 and India won by 72 runs.

It must be noted that Laxman put together a collective partnership of 59 runs with the last 3 wickets (235/8 to 294/10 in India's 2nd innings), which were of immense importance as India won by 72 runs.