VVS Laxman keeps the runs coming

VVS Laxman has, for many years now, been one of India's best Test players. A look at his record shows no significant drop in performance. In 2008 his runs have come at an average of 42.66, which is just below his career average of 43.80.

Rahul Dravid: Cracks in The Wall?

However, with the Fab Four -- Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Laxman -- being criticised for a below par performance in Sri Lanka, and Ganguly getting dropped for the forthcoming Irani Trophy, Laxman's career has also come under scrutiny.

Ganguly best, but no place in Rest

If one goes by facts only, Laxman's performance in Sri Lanka was far better vis-a-vis the other three. The Hyderabad player scored 215 runs in six innings @ 48.53, inclusive of two half-centuries. But if you compare that with his earlier efforts, it does come across as a disappointment.

Here is a break-up of Laxman's performances over the years. This will give you an idea why so much is expected from the Hyderabadi batsman.

VVS Laxman's performance in Test cricket (in each calendar year)

Year	Mts	Inns	NO	Runs	Avg	Hs	100s	50s	0s
1996	2	4	0	77	19.25	51	0	1	0
1997	6	9	2	212	30.29	64	0	2	1
1998	2	3	0	116	38.66	95	0	1	0
1999	6	12	0	221	18.42	67	0	1	2
2000	3	5	1	208	52.00	167	1	0	1
2001	10	16	0	869	54.31	281	1	5	0
2002	15	23	4	984	51.79	154*	2	5	2
2003	5	10	3	595	85.00	148	2	3	0
2004	12	16	0	513	32.06	178	1	2	0
2005	8	12	1	508	46.18	140	2	3	1
2006	10	18	4	561	40.07	100	1	4	2
2007	8	14	5	496	55.11	112*	1	3	0
2008	9	16	1	640	42.66	109	1	5	0
TOTAL	96	158	21	6000	43.80	281	12	35	9

The following table gives a break-up of Laxman's performance in each span of 20 matches. Here, too, he does not seem to be perform badly. In fact, this current segment is second best of his career!

Laxman's performance in each progressive span of 20 matches:

Match #	Inns	NO	Runs	Avg	Hs	100s	50s	0s	SR
1 - 20	35	3	866	27.06	167	1	5	4	44.43
21 - 40	30	3	1568	58.07	281	2	10	0	55.13
41 - 60	32	4	1352	48.29	178	4	5	2	48.63
61 - 80	33	5	1092	39.00	140	3	7	3	44.14
81 - 96	28	6	1122	51.00	112*	2	8	0	51.94

Laxman has always enjoyed playing against Australia and this is one factor that alone should put him in the Test squad against Australia.

Laxman against Australia:

	Mts	Inns	NO	Runs	Avg	Hs	100s	50s	0s
vs Australia	20	37	1	1823	50.64	281	5	8	1