On 14th March 2001, the Indian cricket team was playing a test a match against the mighty Aussies. It was the 4th day of the second test match between India and Australia. The match is being played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Cricket fans would not have expected they were about to witness history and one of the greatest partnerships ever made in test cricket. Yes! we are talking about the legendary partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.
It has been 19 years since the historic partnership between India’s wall Mr. Rahul Dravid and the Very Very Special Laxman. Their innings were completely based on batting strength, skill, and determination to see India through helping the Boys in blue to one of our greatest ever test victories in test match cricket.
India’s cricket team didn’t have a good start to the 2nd test match being bowled out at a mere 171 in response to Australia’s 445. Things looked to cruise Australia’s way who were already 1-0 in a 3 match test series. A win at the Eden Gardens would have meant Australia has won the series before playing the final test match.
Dravid was batting with an overnight score of 7 runs while Laxamn already had his eye into the game playing at a well-settled 109. Asked to follow on by Steve Waugh, India raced up 232 runs with the loss of 4 wickets at the end of Day 3.
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Rahul Dravid along with VVS Laxman approached day 4 with a positive attitude and stitched together a phenomenal 376-run stand to help the Indian team not only avoid an embarrassing defeat but also bounce back and hold a firm grip on the match. The duo’s performances have been regarded s the most determined knocks of all time. Playing off the Aussie pace attack of 2001 headed by Glen McGrath, with Jason Gillespie and Micheal Kasprowicz among the ranks. Topping them all off was Australias’s Spin Wizard Shane Warne. Surviving and disarming such a legendry bowling attack was a feat within itself.
The Indian Southpaws battled through the heat and humidity of Kolkata adding 335 runs in the Indian scoreboard. The duo stood firm and didn’t allow Australia a single breakthrough. The test masters ended the day unbeaten with Laxman on 275 and Dravid scoring 155 not out respectively.
Tiredness got to them eventually as Laxman was dismissed on 281 off 452 balls while Dravid was sent back to the hut at 180 off 353 balls. Ganguly lead team India declared their second innings with 657 runs on board.
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Their innings completely turned the tide in India’s favor with Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan ready to bowl at the tired Australian players. Harbhajan Singh took six wickets (including a hat-trick) and cleaned up Australia’s second innings for just 212 helping Sourav Ganguly’s Team India win by a mammoth 171 runs. India recorded this victory on the 5th day of the test match on March 15, 2001.
VVS Laxman was awarded the match of the match for his powerful 281. India got back to Australia and leveled the series 1-1 with the final match to be the series decider. India won the series 2-1 with another victory in the 3rd test at Bangalore successfully lifting the Border- Gavaskar trophy.
