VVS Laxman turns 47: Rare, vintage photos with wife Shailaja and teammates

VVS Laxman, who remains one of the finest Test batsmen India has ever seen in Tests, celebrates his 47th birthday today. We take look at some archived photos and run you through his journey from being one of India's finest batsmen to juggling his time these days between his family and behind the mic. (Pictures/ Mid-day archives)

Updated On: 2021-11-01 12:33 PM IST

VVS Laxman with his wife Shailaja

VVS Laxman was born in Hyderabad, Telangana. Laxman's parents are noted physicians Dr. Shantaram and Dr. Satyabhama of Vijayawada. Laxman is the great grand nephew of India's second President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. In picture: VVS Laxman returns with a fractured hand after getting hit in the Jo burg Test on 1997 tour. Pic/Ashish Raje

VVS Laxman studied at the Little Flower High School located in Hyderabad. Even though, VVS had joined a medical school as part of his undergraduate studies, it was cricket that Laxman chose as a career. In picture: The Hyderabadi VVS Laxman in Faisalabad during the Pakistan tour of 2003-04. Pic/Suresh KK

VVS Laxman was born on November 1, 1974. Commonly known as V.V.S. Laxman (often VVS, and sometimes as 'Very Very Special'), Laxman is a former Indian cricketer and currently a cricket commentator.

Innocence at its best: VVS Laxman shared a childhood picture of himself on Instagram

VVS Laxman made his Test debut in November 1996 against South Africa. Laxman went on to play in 134 Tests scoring 8,781 runs at an average of 45.5 with 17 centuries and 56 fifties. In picture: VVS Laxman gets hit by a Glenn McGrath bouncer during his epic innings of 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2001. Pic/Suresh KK

VVS Laxman is one of the few cricketers to score the most number of centuries (three) in a an ODI series (in VB Series, Australia 2003-04) . Ironically, the Hyderabadi was left out of the 2003 World Cup team. In picture: The elegant right-handed VVS Laxman during a net session at Hyderabad in 2005. Pic/ MiD DAY Archives

VVS Laxman's highest Test score of 281 against Australia in 2001 is one of the most historic innings in Tests. VVS's double ton helped India clinch an epic win after a follow on. Laxman broke Sunil Gavaskar's record for the highest Test score by an Indian until 3 years later Sehwag set his own record. In picture: VVS Laxman reads a book on teammate Sachin Tendulkar in his hotel room in Mumbai before the team’s departure to South Africa in 2006. Pic/Suresh KK

VVS Laxman married G. R. Shailaja, a Computer Applications graduate from Guntur, on February 16, 2004

TRIVIA: VVS Laxman is also one of the few cricketers to play over 100 Tests without ever playing at the ICC Cricket World Cup. In picture: VVS Laxman is hit on his elbow by a Shoaib Akhtar delivery during the third Test between India and Pakistan at Bangalore in 2007. Pic/Suresh KK

VVS Laxman made his ODI debut in April 1998 and played 86 matches for India scoring 2,338 runs at a batting average of 30.76. His top score is 131 and he has 6 hundreds and 10 fifties.

In picture: Three of the greatest batsman in Indian cricket ever in one frame! VVS Laxman with Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar

VVS Laxman is now a prolific cricket commentator and spokesperson for various international cricket matches offering anecdotes and insights on games. In picture: VVS Laxman is greeted by his teammates Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and coach John Wright after scoring a ton at Mohali in 2003. Pic/Suresh KK

VVS Laxman made his ODI debut in April 1998 and played 86 matches for India scoring 2,338 runs at a batting average of 30.76. His top score is 131 and he has 6 hundreds and 10 fifties.

In picture: Three of the greatest batsman in Indian cricket ever in one frame! VVS Laxman with Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar

VVS Laxman married G. R. Shailaja, a Computer Applications graduate from Guntur, on February 16, 2004.

VVS Laxman and his wife Shailaja has two kids - a son, Sarvajit and a daughter, Achinthya.

In picture: VVS Laxman posted this picture with his wife, son and daughter during a visit to a temple.

In picture: VVS Laxman shared this adorable picture with his whole family, during the holy visit to Varanasi

VVS Laxman posted this this picture with his daughter Achinthya. The father-daughter duo look absolutely adorable!

VVS Laxman shared this throwback picture from his graduation day.

VVS Laxman who was associated with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, shared this picture with Yusuf Pathan, Rashid Khan and Shikhar Dhawan. He captioned, 'Fun shoot with the boys #orangearmy'

VVS Laxman shared this picture of his family with Irfan Pathan on Irfan's birthday. He wrote, ' Wish you a very happy birthday @irfanpathan_official .May you have a great year ahead'

In picture: VVS Laxman seen having a good time with Shikhar Dhawan, Yusuf Pathan and Rashid Khan during a shoot.

VVS Laxman is now a prolific cricket commentator, who does commentary for various international cricket matches. Here he is seen with fellow commentator Akash Chopra.

VVS Laxman shares the space with a few other stalwarts of the game. In this picture he is seen with Sunil Gavaskar at Rajkot.

VVS Laxman posted this picture with Russell Arnold, Mathew Hayden and Mayanti Langer. Laxman wrote a message for Russel Arnold, 'His prediction is as easy to understand for us , like a doctor's handwriting is for a chemist. Always a sport, #russelarnold #PredictorsHat'

VVS Laxman loves to have a good time with his fellow commentators during matches. In this picture, VVS Laxman is seen with Mohammad Kaif and Jatin Sapru during the IPL 2018

How many people are fortunate enough to meet cult religious figures? VVS Laxman is one of the few lucky ones, who shared this picture of himself, his wife and child, visiting Sathya Sai Baba. Laxman captioned, '#sathyasaibaba #flashback #gratitude'

VVS Laxman shared this quirky picture of himself with Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh on the actor's birthday.

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