Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman

Full Name : Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman
Birthday : 1 November 1974
Birth Place : Hyderabad
Country : India
Batting : Right Hand Bat
Bowling : Right Arm Off Break
ODI Debut : India v Zimbabwe at Cuttack, Pepsi Triangular Series, 1997/98
Test Debut : India v South Africa at Ahmedabad, 1st Test, 1996/97



A Sublime touch: A Profile on VVS Laxman

V.V.S. Laxman is a stylish right-hander from Hyderabad who will always be remembered for the fine knock of 167 he scored in the third Test against Australia at Sydney in January 2000. Since his debut he has been in and out of the Indian team but one of the main reasons for that is that he is unable to have a secure batting position. To be fair to Laxman, he is not a natural opening batsman and has had the job thrust upon him. Laxman's fine technique however makes him a safe bet to open the innings. Some people have labeled him as a Test batsmen who cannot bat aggressively hence have marked him unfit for the one dayers. This however is not true as his aggressive nature is visible even in the Test matches. Laxman may lack some of the glamour that is associated with some of his teammates but he prefers to be what he is - a quietly efficient and determined cricketer. He is a batsman for whom patience, timing and technique are of utmost importance.

This Hyderabadi batsman, an almost immediate predecessor of Mohammad Azharuddin in terms of class is known to play one of the greatest Test Match Innings of all time. An Innings that gave him an instant recognition. There is a touch of class attached when someone calls you by your initials. That series winning 281 in Kolkatta against the World Champions not only ended Australia's unbeaten 16 Test Match Wins record, but also ensured that India would bounce back to pressurise Australia from a no win situation and challenge them to win the series.

This was not the first time VVS had scored a sublime century against the Australians. In Sydney VVS stroked a magnificient 167 not out to earn a sense of respect amongst all Australian people. His form in the Test arena was exceptional, but he failed to carry the same form to One Day cricket. Perhaps, his inability to play the lofted shot and to score runs quickly cost him his place in the Indian One Day side. The pain was even larger when his name was not included in the One Day squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

His return in the team marked one of the most sensational comebacks into form. He looked in fine knick in the TVS cup in India against Australia and New Zealand. That form ensured his place in the side for the all important tour of Australia. Throughout the Australian tour, if there was one man, who the mighty Australians were unable to dismiss, it was VVS. Two 300+ run partnership in Adelaide and Sydney and a vital support role in Brisbane by VVS had enabled India to draw the Test series. He was not done there. For the first time VVS carried on that form from Test cricket into One Day cricket. He made 3 centuries in a week's time and was surprisingly India's most successful batsman in the One Day Internationals. 'Just maybe I would have made the difference in the World Cup final', would have been an ideal response VVS could have given to the selectors after the Australian tour.

Laxman and World Cup 2003
The 10th house of career has neecha ketu (debilitated ketu), giving rise to troubles and obstruction in career. Also Saturn was transiting his neecha Ketu in the 10th house, hence he was subjected to pain, anguish and humiliations as far as career is concerned.

Laxmans Debut in international cricket
He made his debut in 1996/97 against West Indies. It was the period of Saturn, which is Raja Yoga Karaka and also 10th lord from Chandra and also Karkamsha lagna.

The unforgettable 281 against Australia
Laxman hit his unforgettable 281 against Australia in Calcutta, when he was running the dasa of Kataka in Kalachakra Dasha. From Kataka, the 10th lord was placed in the 4th house forming a wonderful Raja Yoga, also it was a BIG jump from Sagittarius to Kataka which invariably brings BIG change in ones life.