Cricketer, mentor, author & more: Interesting facts about VVS Laxman

NEW DELHI: Hyderabad-based Vangipurapu Venkata Sai (VVS) Laxman earned the position of the most-dependable teammate of all time. The former India cricketer won 'Man of the Match' award after scoring an epic 281 runs alone in the second innings against Australia in 2001 which pushed India towards victory.

In 2012, after SunRisers Hyderabad was revamped, the sportsman turned mentor for the IPL team. He is also known to keep the stadium lively with his brilliant cricket commentary.

On his 44th birthday, here are some interesting facts about the ace cricketer.

- Laxman has a presidential connection by virtue of being the great grandson of Dr Sarvpalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second president.

- The ace cricketer was a brilliant student, and scored 98% in Science when he appeared for his Class X examinations.

- Being born into a family of well-known doctors, Laxman also wanted to be a medical professional. He got an honorary Doctoral Degree from the TERI University in 2015.

- Success didn't come easy. After waiting for three years, he finally got his first Test century.

- Laxman and Australian fast bowler Brett Lee began their career at the same time. Both played their first Under-19 international in 1994.

- Seven years after his U-19 game, Laxman received the Arjuna Award in 2001 for his outstanding achievement in sports.

- In 2011, he was honoured with India's fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri.

- Laxman and Rahul Dravid's partnership holds a world record for scoring 376 runs in 3rd innings of a Test match.

- Former teammates - Anil Kumble and Laxman - became great friends, and the cricketer believes that Kumble was a better batsman than bowler.

- Impressed by his consistent knocks, legendary Australia captain Ian Chappell named him 'Very Very Special' (VVS) Laxman during the 2003-2004 ODI series.

- Laxman is a man of simple taste. He loves his South Indian-style 'rasam', and is a strict vegetarian.

- After Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev, it seems that Laxman, too, will soon turn author. The cricketer has been teasing his fans on social media with a special announcement. If rumours are to be believed, the book will be out later this month.

- A die-hard Aamir Khan fan, he followed all the three seasons of the actor’s TV show, 'Satyamev Jayate'.

- Laxman married a computer science post-graduate, GR Sailaja, in 2004 and has two children – Sarvajit and Achinta.

- Along with his uncle, the cricketer launched a CD on Sai Baba comprising his teachings and philosophies.

National Sports Awards:Virat Kohli, Mirabai Chanu, Hima Das Shine, Proud Families By Their Side

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The National Sports Awards ceremony was a proud-families affair as President Ram Nath Kovind felicitated sports stars.

Team India captain Virat Kohli, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were honoured with the Khel Ratna award that carries a prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.

The Arjuna Award, that carries a prize amount of Rs 5 lakh with a citation, was given to 20 sportspersons. Apart from the Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards, the President also gave away Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards to coaches, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure awards, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

In Pic (clockwise from left): Kohli and Chanu; the Indian skipper's actress-wife Anushka Sharma, mother Saroj and brother Vikas; athlete Hima Das with father Ronjit; weightlifter Chanu with mother Saikohm Ongbi Tombi Leima.

The National Sports Awards ceremony was a proud-families affair as President Ram Nath Kovind felicitated sports stars.Team India captain Virat Kohli, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu were honoured with..

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Virat Kohli had the women in his life, mum Saroj and wife Anushka, applaud for for him as he was awarded India's highest sporting honour by President Kovind. The Indian skipper who has been rested during the ongoing Asia Cup received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

Kohli is the third cricketer to be honoured with the Khel Ratna after Sachin Tendulkar (1997-1998) and MS Dhoni (2007).

Actress Anushka Sharma opted for a Sabyasachi Mukherjee tussar-georgette saree lined with old tilla borders and paired it with a hazar-buti blouse, and 22K polki earrings.

Virat Kohli had the women in his life, mum Saroj and wife Anushka, applaud for for him as he was awarded India's highest sporting honour by President Kovind. The Indian skipper who has been rested du..

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Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the first Indian to win gold at the World Championships in more than two decades, was the other sportsperson to be honoured with the prestigious Khel Ratna award. Chanu's mother, Saikohm Ongbi Tombi Leima, made for a beaming picture in the audience.

Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, the first Indian to win gold at the World Championships in more than two decades, was the other sportsperson to be honoured with the prestigious Khel Ratna award. ..

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Table Tennis player Manika Batra (R), who created history by becoming the first Indian female TT player to win an Asiad medal, received the Arjuna Award.

Shooter Shreyasi Singh (L) was also among the 20 Arjuna Award recipients at the National Sports and Adventure Award 2018.

Table Tennis player Manika Batra (R), who created history by becoming the first Indian female TT player to win an Asiad medal, received the Arjuna Award. Shooter Shreyasi Singh (L) was also among th..

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Arjuna Awardees hockey player Manpreet Singh and Savita Punia strike a pose with their family members during a dinner hosted in the honour of the winners of National Sports and Adventure Awards, in New Delhi.

Arjuna Awardees hockey player Manpreet Singh and Savita Punia strike a pose with their family members during a dinner hosted in the honour of the winners of National Sports and Adventure Awards, in N..

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Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar on behalf of the Isha Outreach from President Kovind at the National Sports and Adventure Awards.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar on behalf of the Isha Outreach from President Kovind at the National Sports and Adventure Awards.

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