Venkata Sai Laxman
		Date of Birth: 1st November 1974, Hyderabad
		Test Debut: Against India v South Africa at Ahmedabad in 1996/97
		ODI Debut: Against India v Zimbabwe at Cuttack in 1997/98
		Bats: Right Hand Bat
		Bowls: Right Arm Off Break
		Award(s): Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2002

This man has loads of talent but very seldom brings it into his batting. When on song, he is a spectator's delight. He has all the shots in his repertoire and can match, and sometimes better Sachin Tendulkar for strokeplay.

His on-side game is comparable to that of his idol and former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. In March 2001, he played one of the best knocks the game has ever witnessed with a majestic 281 at Eden Gardens against Steve Waugh's then-invincible Australians He made three other 50s in that series, and 289 runs at an average of 57 in the one-dayers: consistency at last.

He has a tendency to coring a brisk 20 or a 30 and then getout to a lazy or rash stroke. In the tour of West Indies, Laxman however showed that he has ironed out much of these deficiencies.

He looked much more relaxed, his foot-work was in place, shot selection looked much more assured and looked much more composed in the middle.

In the Calypso tour, he scored 479 runs runs at an average of 79 and registered his third century of his Test career. Throughout the series, Laxman looked altogether a different player.

He does not have a good record in England with an average of under 20. Now however is the chance to come good.