VVS Laxman's 281 is the Greatest Innings Played by Indian Player - Rahul Dravid

Former legendary batsman Rahul Dravid believes VVS Laxman knock of 281 runs against Australia is the greatest ever played by any Indian player. Dravid had the best seat in the box to witness the majestic knock of Laxman. In fact, India had their backs against the wall against Australia in the memorable Kolkata Test.

Subsequently, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were able to come up with the match-changing innings. India was asked to follow on and both of these batters had batted the whole day to rescue India out of troubled waters.

Dravid had the best seat in the stadium to witness the majestic Laxman.

Rahul Dravid was not in the best of forms at that time and his place in the side was under the scanner. On the other hand, VVS Laxman was driving his car on an expressway. Laxman got his runs with great ease whereas Rahul Dravid had to toil hard for every run he made on that career-changing night.

“Without a doubt, I think, the 281 was probably one of the most significant and greatest innings played by an Indian cricketer, in terms of the context, the consequence, the innings was played in”, Dravid said at the launch of Laxman’s autobiography “281 and Beyond”.

“I really had the best seat in the house for the greatest Indian innings ever played,” he added.

It was miraculous.

Dravid recalled that Laxman was in his zone as he batted with great ease against a top spinner like Shane Warne. Dravid and Laxman stiched 376 runs which is the best partnership for India. Laxman scored 44 boundaries in his mammoth knock.

“I was still imagining him and visualising him, stepping outside the leg-stump and hitting Shane Warne through the covers, for a ball that is pitched yards outside the leg-stump. Or to be able to flick a ball on the middle and off-stump on a turning track in Kolkata, across the line, against a great bowler like Shane Warne,” he said.

“Or driving Glenn McGrath or Jason Gillespie. The way he did it, I think, for me, it was an incredible experience, watching him bat,” he added.

Dravid was not in good form at that time.

Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid revealed that he doesn’t like to see a lot of cricket. Dravid is currently coaching the India A and Under-19 team.

“It was absolutely phenomenal to watch. Sometimes, I don’t like watching a lot of cricket. I really hate watching myself bat again when sometimes they show these old matches. If I am playing in that, I actually change the channel,” he said.

The glory of the Kolkata Test match is written in the golden pages of Indian cricket. The partnership between Dravid and Laxman will always be remembered.