VVS Laxman scored 23 international centuries during his cricket career, including 17 centuries in Test cricket and six in One Day Internationals. His highest Test score was 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in March 2001, while his highest ODI score was 131 against Zimbabwe in Adelaide in January 2004. Laxman also scored two Test double centuries, both against Australia.

VVS Laxman is remembered as one of India’s most elegant and dependable middle-order batters.

Popularly known as “Very Very Special” Laxman, he was admired for his remarkable wristwork, outstanding timing and ability to perform under pressure.

He played 134 Test matches and 86 ODIs for India between 1996 and 2012.

Although Laxman scored fewer international centuries than Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid, many of his hundreds came in challenging situations and contributed to important Indian victories.

His unforgettable 281 against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test is widely regarded as one of the greatest innings in cricket history.

Laxman was particularly successful against Australia, scoring six Test centuries and four ODI hundreds against the team.

In this article, we explore the complete VVS Laxman centuries list, including every Test and ODI hundred, scores, opponents, venues, career records, double centuries and memorable innings.

Last updated: 6 November 2026

VVS Laxman Centuries – Quick Overview

Laxman never played a T20 International for India.

Therefore, all 23 of his international hundreds came in Tests and ODIs.

VVS Laxman Complete International Career Statistics

Laxman’s international batting record reflects his importance to India’s Test middle order.

He was especially valuable in difficult match situations, where his patience and stroke-making ability often helped India recover.

VVS Laxman Test Centuries List – All 17 Hundreds

VVS Laxman scored 17 centuries in 134 Test matches.

His first Test century came against Australia in Sydney in January 2000.

His final Test century was an unbeaten 176 against West Indies at Eden Gardens in November 2011.

Complete List of VVS Laxman’s 17 Test Centuries

The years indicate when the relevant Test matches were played. An asterisk (*) indicates that Laxman remained not out.

These 17 centuries were scored against seven different Test-playing countries.

Australia was his most successful opponent.

VVS Laxman ODI Centuries List – All 6 Hundreds

VVS Laxman scored six ODI centuries in 86 matches.

Interestingly, four of those six hundreds came against Australia.

His highest ODI score was 131 against Zimbabwe during a triangular series in Australia in January 2004.

Complete List of VVS Laxman’s ODI Centuries

Laxman’s ODI centuries came against Australia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

His final ODI century came during India’s historic 2004 tour of Pakistan.

VVS Laxman Centuries Against Each Country

Australia was Laxman’s favourite opponent when measured by international centuries.

Opponent-Wise Century Breakdown

Laxman scored 10 international centuries against Australia alone.

That accounts for more than 43% of his international hundreds.

His success against Australia is a major reason he is remembered as one of India’s greatest performers against the team.

VVS Laxman Centuries Against Australia

VVS Laxman scored six Test centuries and four ODI centuries against Australia.

His performances against the Australian team were often exceptional because he faced some of the strongest bowling attacks of his generation.

Those attacks included legendary bowlers such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie.

VVS Laxman’s Test Centuries Against Australia

VVS Laxman’s ODI Centuries Against Australia

His performances in the 2003–04 Australia tour were particularly memorable.

He scored centuries in both Test and ODI cricket and played several important partnerships.

VVS Laxman 281 vs Australia – The Historic Kolkata Test

The most famous innings of VVS Laxman’s career came against Australia at Eden Gardens in March 2001.

India were facing a strong Australian team led by Steve Waugh.

Australia had won 16 consecutive Test matches and were aiming to continue their extraordinary winning streak.

India lost the first Test of the series in Mumbai.

In the second Test at Kolkata, Australia dominated the early stages.

India were dismissed for 171 in their first innings after Australia scored 445.

The visitors enforced the follow-on.

India faced the possibility of another heavy defeat.

Laxman’s Extraordinary 281

Laxman was promoted to No. 3 in India’s second innings.

He produced an unforgettable batting performance.

He scored 281 runs from 452 balls, hitting 44 boundaries.

His innings combined patience, remarkable wristwork and outstanding stroke play.

He played Shane Warne’s leg-spin with exceptional confidence.

His ability to find boundaries on both sides of the wicket helped India recover.

The 376-Run Partnership With Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid joined Laxman and produced another remarkable innings.

Dravid scored 180.

Together, they added 376 runs for the fifth wicket.

Their partnership transformed the match.

India eventually declared their second innings at 657/7.

Australia needed 384 runs to win.

However, India’s bowlers produced a dramatic comeback.

Harbhajan Singh took six wickets in Australia’s second innings.

India dismissed Australia for 212 and won by 171 runs.

Why Was Laxman’s 281 Historic?

• It was the highest individual Test score by an Indian at the time.
• It helped India win after following on.
• It ended Australia’s 16-match Test winning streak.
• It featured a 376-run partnership with Rahul Dravid.
• It changed the momentum of the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
• India went on to win the series 2–1.

The innings remains one of the greatest performances in Indian cricket history.

VVS Laxman’s First Test Century – 167 Against Australia

Laxman’s first Test century came during India’s tour of Australia in January 2000.

He scored 167 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India were struggling against a powerful Australian bowling attack.

Laxman, who was opening the batting at the time, played an attacking innings.

His 167 included a wide range of elegant drives, flicks and pulls.

Although India lost the match, the innings demonstrated his exceptional batting ability.

It also marked the beginning of his special relationship with Australian bowling attacks.

VVS Laxman’s 148 Against Australia – Adelaide 2003

The Adelaide Test of December 2003 is remembered as one of India’s greatest overseas victories.

Australia scored 556 in their first innings.

India were under pressure after losing early wickets.

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman then produced an outstanding partnership.

Dravid scored 233, while Laxman contributed 148.

The pair added 303 runs for the fifth wicket.

Their partnership helped India recover and remain competitive.

India eventually won the Test by four wickets.

The victory was India’s first Test win in Australia since 1981.

Laxman’s innings was one of the most important contributions to the result.

VVS Laxman’s 178 Against Australia – Sydney 2004

During the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney in January 2004, Laxman scored 178.

He shared a 353-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 241.

India declared at 705/7, their highest Test innings total at that time.

The match ended in a draw.

Laxman’s 178 further strengthened his reputation as one of India’s finest batters against Australia.

VVS Laxman Double Centuries – Complete List

VVS Laxman scored two double centuries in Test cricket.

Both came against Australia.

First Double Century – 281 in 2001

Laxman’s first Test double century was his historic 281 in Kolkata.

It remains his highest international score.

Second Double Century – 200* in 2008

Laxman scored an unbeaten 200 against Australia in Delhi in October 2008.

The innings helped India post a massive first-innings total.

The match ended in a draw.

It was the second and final double century of his international career.

VVS Laxman’s Highest ODI Score – 131 Against Zimbabwe

Laxman’s highest ODI score was 131 against Zimbabwe at Adelaide Oval on 24 January 2004.

The innings came during the VB Series in Australia.

He played an important role in building India’s innings.

India went on to win the match.

The century was Laxman’s fifth ODI hundred and his only ODI century against Zimbabwe.

VVS Laxman’s ODI Century Against Pakistan – Lahore 2004

One of Laxman’s most important ODI centuries came against Pakistan at Lahore on 24 March 2004.

The match was the fifth and deciding ODI of the series.

India were looking to win a historic bilateral series in Pakistan.

Laxman scored 107, which helped India post 293/7.

Pakistan were dismissed for 253.

India won by 40 runs and secured the series 3–2.

Laxman’s century was central to India’s victory.

It was also the final ODI hundred of his career.

VVS Laxman’s Last Test Century – 176* Against West Indies

Laxman’s final Test century came against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in November 2011.

He scored an unbeaten 176 from 280 balls.

The innings was a reminder of his outstanding batting technique and ability to build long partnerships.

India won the match by an innings and 15 runs.

Laxman’s 176 not out was his 17th and final Test century.

He retired from international cricket in August 2012.

VVS Laxman Test Centuries by Year

Laxman scored Test centuries across 12 different calendar years.

His consistency over more than a decade helped India remain competitive against leading international teams.

VVS Laxman ODI Centuries by Year

The year 2004 was his most productive period for ODI centuries.

He scored four ODI hundreds that year, including three during the VB Series in Australia.

VVS Laxman’s Centuries at Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens in Kolkata was one of Laxman’s most memorable venues.

He scored five Test centuries at the ground.

His innings at Eden Gardens included some of the most important performances of his career.

The 281 against Australia remains the most famous, but his later centuries also demonstrated his consistency at the venue.

VVS Laxman’s Test Centuries in Winning Matches

Laxman scored several important centuries in Test victories.

Some of his most memorable match-winning hundreds included:

• 281 against Australia at Kolkata in 2001.
• 148 against Australia at Adelaide in 2003.
• 140 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 2005.
• 104 against Sri Lanka at Ahmedabad in 2005.
• 143* against South Africa at Kolkata in 2010.
• 103* against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2010.
• 176* against West Indies at Kolkata in 2011.

These innings highlight why Laxman was considered a dependable batter in high-pressure situations.

His ability to rescue India from difficult positions was one of his greatest strengths.

Why Was VVS Laxman So Successful Against Australia?

Laxman’s success against Australia was built on his exceptional technique and confidence.

He was particularly effective against both fast bowling and leg-spin.

His wristwork allowed him to play deliveries into unexpected areas.

Against Shane Warne, Laxman often used his feet and played against the spin with remarkable control.

He also handled pace and bounce effectively during India’s tours of Australia.

His centuries in Sydney, Adelaide and Kolkata demonstrated his adaptability.

More importantly, he often performed when India were under pressure.

This ability made him one of Australia’s most challenging opponents during his playing career.

Comparisons: Laxman vs Dravid, Tendulkar and Gavaskar

VVS Laxman vs Rahul Dravid – Test Century Comparison

Rahul Dravid scored more Test centuries and runs.

However, both players were instrumental in India’s success during the 2000s.

Their partnership of 376 against Australia in Kolkata in 2001 remains one of Indian cricket’s greatest batting partnerships.

VVS Laxman vs Sachin Tendulkar – Century Comparison

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for 100 international centuries.

Laxman’s 23 international hundreds represent a different but equally memorable contribution to Indian cricket history.

Both players produced outstanding performances against Australia.

VVS Laxman vs Sunil Gavaskar – Century Comparison

Gavaskar scored more Test centuries, while Laxman recorded more ODI hundreds.

Both players made important contributions to India’s cricket history in different eras.

Major VVS Laxman Century Records

• 1. 23 International CenturiesLaxman finished with 17 Test centuries and six ODI hundreds.
• 2. Six Test Centuries Against AustraliaAustralia was his most successful opponent in Test cricket.
• 3. Four ODI Centuries Against AustraliaFour of his six ODI centuries came against Australia.
• 4. Two Test Double CenturiesHe scored 281 in 2001 and 200 not out in 2008.
• 5. Highest Test Score of 281His 281 against Australia remained his highest international score.
• 6. Historic 376-Run PartnershipLaxman and Rahul Dravid added 376 runs in the 2001 Kolkata Test.
• 7. Five Test Centuries at Eden GardensKolkata was one of his most successful Test venues.
• 8. Four ODI Centuries in 2004The year 2004 was his most productive year for ODI hundreds.
• 9. Final ODI Century in PakistanHis 107 against Pakistan helped India win the 2004 ODI series.
• 10. Final Test Century in 2011His unbeaten 176 against West Indies was his last Test hundred.

Interesting Facts About VVS Laxman’s Centuries

1. Laxman scored 23 international centuries.
2. He scored 17 Test hundreds.
3. He scored six ODI centuries.
4. His first Test century came in 2000.
5. His first ODI century came in 2001.
6. His highest Test score was 281.
7. His highest ODI score was 131.
8. He scored two Test double centuries.
9. Both double centuries came against Australia.
10. He scored six Test centuries against Australia.
11. Four of his ODI centuries came against Australia.
12. He scored five Test centuries at Eden Gardens.
13. His 281 helped India win after following on.
14. He shared a 376-run partnership with Rahul Dravid.
15. He scored 148 in India’s 2003 Adelaide Test victory.
16. He scored 178 at Sydney in 2004.
17. His final ODI century came against Pakistan.
18. His final Test century came against West Indies.
19. He never played a T20 International.
20. He retired with 11,119 international runs.

Frequently Asked Questions About VVS Laxman Centuries

Conclusion

VVS Laxman’s 23 international centuries remain an important part of Indian cricket history.

His 17 Test centuries and six ODI hundreds demonstrate his ability to perform across different formats.

He was particularly successful against Australia, scoring ten international hundreds against the team.

His legendary 281 at Eden Gardens in 2001 remains one of the greatest innings ever played by an Indian batter.

From his first Test century in Sydney in 2000 to his final hundred against West Indies in 2011, Laxman consistently displayed remarkable technique, patience and temperament.

His achievements established him as one of India’s greatest middle-order batters.

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