The stylish Hyderabad batsman is rated by many as one of India's best batting talents. Playing alongside greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid he has carved a niche for himself while playing 46 Test matches and scoring 2966 runs at an impressive average of 44.26, with 5 centuries and 17 half-centuries.

One of the low points of his career was being dropped for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

But Laxman is back, and with a bang!!

He scored 279 runs in the just-concluded two-Test series against New Zealand at an average of 139.50. His gritty batting helped India salvage a draw in the second Test and draw the Test series. For his efforts, he was rightly named Man of the Series.

His batting form also forced the selectors to include him in the one-day squad for the triangular series against Australia and New Zealand.

In the first match of the tri-series, he played a crucial role in India's win over World champions Australia. Laxman scored a century and his partnership with Sachin Tendulkar guided India to a huge unbeatable total.

Laxman will play a pivotal role when India travel Down Under to take on the Aussies. His fans will be hoping for another 'Very Very Special' knock from him.

Laxman Facts
Born: 1-11-1974
Teams: Hyderabad, India
LOI debut:9-4-1998
Test debut: 1996-97