On November 1, 2023, Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman, the renowned Indian batter, would turn 49. In addition to leading the India Under-19 and India A teams as head coach, he is currently the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. VVS Laxman is the great-grandnephew of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India, and was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana). After finishing his education, he turned to cricket as his job and enrolled in an undergraduate medical program.
In Test cricket, Laxman batted in the middle order and was a right-hand batsman known for his beautiful strokeplay. In February 1994, he made his Under-19 debut for India in a match against Australia. In the meanwhile, in a home Test series against South Africa in November 1996, he made his debut in international cricket.
Famous for his bravery and known as the “God of 4th Innings,” Laxman has scored 8781 runs from 134 Test matches at an average of 45.97 and a strike rate of 49.37. He has also amassed seven hundreds and 56 half-centuries. Through 86 ODIs, he scored 2338 runs at an average of 30.76, six tons, and ten fifties. He was a relatively infrequent bowler at the Test level, taking just two wickets in his tenure, one each against the West Indies and Pakistan.
VVS Laxman omission from the ODI World Cup makes him one of the few players with 100 Test appearances. With his rapid scoring and stroke play, he compensated for his slower pace between the wickets. Excellent timing and a surprising ability to position the ball in tight spaces while controlling spin and velocity equally well characterize him. He was able to distribute the ball to every area of the field thanks to his exceptionally skilled wrist technique.
VVS Laxman has played for Hyderabad in domestic cricket as well as Lancashire in county cricket. Moreover, played for the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers and captained the Deccan Chargers, a former Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, during its only season. Up to 2021, he was the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s coach, who had won the 2016 season.
He played for the Indian team that shared the ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002. In 2011, he received India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri award. He participated in his final game in Australia’s longest format in January 2012.
On his special day, Laxman received wishes from legendary cricket players like Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, and others. One of the greatest batting legends India has ever produced received special tributes from IPL clubs and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
Here is how the cricketing fraternity extended its wishes to VVS Laxman:
Happy birthday to my dear friend, VVS!
Why do I think he is going to cut the birthday cake with a wristy flick of the knife? 😋 pic.twitter.com/Co5chkCWDX— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 1, 2023
A name synonymous with elegance and resilience, wishing @VVSLaxman281 a very happy birthday! May the next year bring with it plenty of abundance and joy. pic.twitter.com/aYPx5gKc22
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) November 1, 2023
Wishing a very happy birthday to the legend of Indian Cricket and current head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, @VVSLaxman281! May this year bring you even more happiness and accomplishments in all your endeavors! pic.twitter.com/v45pgs6JOI
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) November 1, 2023
2⃣2⃣0⃣international matches 👍
1⃣1⃣,1⃣1⃣9⃣ international runs 👌Wishing @VVSLaxman281, one of the finest batters to have ever graced the game & the present Head Cricket, NCA – a very happy birthday. 👏🎂#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/uaP7U7zSWQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2023
Birthday Whistles to a 𝗩ery 𝗩ery 𝗦pecial Cricketer 🎂 🥳. pic.twitter.com/n9LkQA8X1C
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 1, 2023