VVS Laxman announces retirement from international cricket

Earlier, the 37-year-old Laxman, announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

VVS Laxman with wife and children
before a press conference

Laxman, who earned the sobriquet 'Very Very Special' for his style and flair, played 134 Tests, amassing 8,781 runs at an average of 45.97. He scored 17 hundreds and 56 half centuries in the longer format of the game. The Hyderabadi has always had a pair of safe hands and has pouched 135 Test catches too.

However, question marks over his form had been raised following his disappointing performances on India's tour to Australia earlier this year, and the right-hander has now decided to end his international career.

"I have decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect," Laxman said.

"It's been 16 years since I have made my international debut for India and I think it is the right time to move on.

As a youngster it was a dream to represent India and it took a lot of pride to wear the India cap."

Laxman, who was picked in the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand beginning here from August 23, surprisingly chose to hang his boots with immediate effect without taking the opportunity to bow out of international cricket in front of his home crowd.

Laxman's Test career got off to a dream start when he made a half-century on his debut against South Africa in November 1996, although he would have to wait until January 2000 to score his maiden century - the first of six he would make against Australia.

In 2001 Laxman produced one of the most memorable innings of all time as his career-best 281 led India to victory after they were asked to follow-on by Australia in Kolkata.

Laxman also made 200, again against Australia, in a drawn Test in Delhi in 2008, while in November of the same year he made his 100th Test outing against the Australians in Nagpur.

In 2010, Laxman played yet another defining innings ---an unbeaten knock of 73 against Australia at Mohali. He was suffering from acute back spasms and had to bat with a runner and he guided India to an improbable victory by playing alongside No 10 batsman Ishant Sharma.

Laxman, who was not a regular in India's ODI team, played 86 matches for an aggregate of 2338 at an average of 30.76. Unfortunately for him, he could never be a part of India's World Cup campaigns which remains one of his biggest regrets.

Doubts over Laxman's international future surfaced earlier this year when he turned in a lamentable performance in India's 4-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia, the batsman failing to get past two runs in four of eight innings.

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