VVS Laxman played a match winning knock at Eden Gardens in 2001 to beat Australia. (Source: Reuters) VVS Laxman played a match winning knock at Eden Gardens in 2001 to beat Australia. (Source: Reuters)

A panel of cricket writers, authors, historians and broadcasters were put to task to select the best innings since 2000 and they voted for VVS Laxman’s 281 run knock against Australia in 2001 at the Eden Gardens as the best of the lot. Other Indian players to feature in the top-20 list include Rahul Dravid’s 180 versus Australia in 2001 (at number 14), Virender Sehwag’s 309 against Pakistan in 2004 (at number 9) and Dravid’s 233 against Australia in 2003 (at number 4).

According to the process, the 37-member panel voted for their top 10 Test innings since January 1, 2000 with ten points for number one pick, nine points for number two picks and so on until the final choice. These numbers were then totalled and the list revealed by ‘All Out Cricket’.

Laxman’s magical innings – included in numerous lists for the best Test knock including by Cricket Monthly earlier in the year – came after India were left with a massive ask of circumventing a 274 run deficit after the first innings.

Laxman who was promoted to No 3 after his 59 run knock out of India’s 171 in the first innings, produced the brilliant innings by dismantling the Aussie pace and spin attack. He also put together 376 runs for the fifth wicket with Dravid who scored 180 (and is mentioned in this list). India didn’t lose a single wicket on day four of the match with the hosts running away with the match by 171 runs from the brink of defeat.

Other players to feature in the last include: Marcus Trescothick’s 180 vs South Africa in 2005 (at number 20), Faf du Plessis’ 110 vs Australia in 2012 (at number 19), Kumar Sangakkara’s 192 vs Australia in 2007 (at number 18), Brian Lara’s 226 vs Australia in 2005 (at number 17), Dinesh Chandimal’s 162 vs India in 2015 (at number 16), Lara’s 400 vs England in 2004 (at number 15), Michael Clarke’s 161 vs South Africa in 2014 (at number 13), Brendon McCullum’s 145 vs Australia in 2016 (at number 12), Mark Butcher’s 173 vs Australia in 2001 (at number 11), Ben Stoke’s 258 vs South Africa in 2016 (at number 10), Nathan Astle’s 222 vs England in 2002 (at number 8), Lara’s 221 vs Sri Lanka in 2001 (at number 7), Graeme Smith’s 154 vs England in 2008 (at number 6), Ricky Ponting’s 156 vs England in 2005 (at number 5), Kevin Pietersen’s 158 vs Australia in 2005 (at number 3) and Pietersen’s 186 vs India in 2012 (at number 2).

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