When VVS Announced His Arrival

Blessed with great technique and style, VVS Laxman is one of the finest batsmen India has ever produced, and will forever be remembered for his epic 281 against Australia – often spoken of as the greatest test match innings of all time. In this extract from his autobiography, 281 And Beyond, he describes the days and moments leading up to his debut test match against South Africa in Ahmedabad, in which he scored a crucial 2nd innings half century to help India win

19 November 1996. I was trembling with nervous anticipation as I stood on a chair and looked down at the audience.

This wasn’t something I had anticipated when I was selected to play for the country. Sourav had been unavailable due to injury and Sanjay Manjrekar had decided to open the innings. I had been selected along with Pankaj Dharmani to fill the middle-order spots that had opened up. Pankaj and I had driven down to Ahmedabad from Baroda after playing for the Board President’s XI against the South Africans.

We had all been herded into our coach Madan Lal’s suite for the customary team meeting, the evening before the start of the Test series against South Africa. I had had two solid batting sessions with the team in the lead-up to the Test match in Ahmedabad, and had been reasonably confident after the match-eve stint that I would make my debut the following day. Madan Lal announced the playing eleven and the team broke into spontaneous applause. When ‘Laxman’ rolled offhis tongue, I beamed uncontrollably, my eyes glistening with unshed tears. This was it, then, eight weeks after I was first picked for the Indian squad. As was the tradition then, I was asked to address my mates. There was Sachin Tendulkar, our captain and a role model, even though he was from my generation. There was Azzu bhai, my hero and inspiration. Anil Kumble, already a proven matchwinner. Javagal Srinath, a senior member and prankster if ever there was one. And Rahul Dravid, who had been my good friend for a long time by then.