Laxman’s 'very very special' 281 awarded best Test innings in last 50 years

The Hyderabad batsman’s fabulous innings came in the second innings after India trailed Australia by 274 runs in the first innings of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After folding out for a paltry 171 in the first innings, India were staring at an innings defeat, when Steve Waugh enforced the follow-on. Batting at No.3, Laxman along with Rahul Dravid added an epic 376 runs for the fifth wicket to take India to 657 for 7 against the mighty Aussies. Guided by Laxman’s innings, India registered an unbelievable 171-run victory after bowling out Australia for 212 to start India's memorable Test run under Sourav Ganguly.  

Laxman's epic 281 against an Aussie team, which was on a record-winning streak and widely acknowledged as one of the best to have ever played the game, launched argubaly India's best-ever run in Test cricket. Laxman, along with the support of the other members of the Fab Four - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, would jumpstart the era which culminated in India eventually reaching the No. 1 spot in Tests.

Former players, commentators and journalists participated in the poll, published in the January issue of ESPN’s digital magazine The Cricket Monthly to shower Laxman with the very very special honour.

“I was bowling in the footmarks and Laxman was hitting the same ball through cover or whipping it through midwicket. It was so hard to bowl then,” said Shane Warne about the masterful innings, reported PTI.

Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting also remembered the masterful innings, “his work through the leg side in particular was a source of wonderment to many of us…

Ultimately we bowled for near enough to two days at him without even looking like getting him out.”