published by, Nibandh Vinod
Last Update: March 14, 2023, 08:44 AM IST
On Day 5, VVS Laxman got out after scoring 281 runs. Rahul Dravid got out after scoring 180 runs.
India created history as they not only ended Australia’s dominating undefeated run of 16 Test matches, but also became the third team to win a Test match after being asked to follow-on in 2001 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
In one of the greatest comebacks in cricket, India created history by defeating Australia by 171 runs at the Eden Gardens on March 15, 2001. This is the same date when the first International Test match was played between Australia in 1877. and England, which Australia conquered.
However, it was on 14 March when Indian cricket saw its greatest comeback as VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stitched a historic partnership of 376 runs to get India out of trouble.
India won in style despite the odds against them and it was one of those great comebacks where the home team won the match after being asked to follow-on. Pride and prestige were at stake back in 2001 when India were facing one of the greatest Test teams the cricket world has ever seen.
Those representing Australia included Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Mark and Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath; Whereas for India there were Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.
In the three-match Test series, Australia won the first Test at Wankhede by 10 wickets and were looking good to seal the series with a win in Kolkata. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Captain Steve Waugh led from the front with 110 as the visitors scored 445 in the first innings. Harbhajan Singh claimed seven wickets in the first innings, but the onus was on the Indian batsmen to take matters into their own hands.
It was not the right start for the hosts as Australia bowled India out for 171 in the first innings. Steve Waugh decided to enforce the follow on as the lead was 276.
However, what happened next was unprecedented in history. On the third day of the match, India were at 254/4 when Laxman brought up his century, while Dravid played his role as ‘The Wall’. On Day 4, two batsmen troubled the visitors’ attacking line-up as they ended the day with 589/4 on the board. On Day 5, Laxman was dismissed after a heroic 281. Dravid went on to score 180 before being run out and Ganguly decided to declare at 657/7.
To win the match, Australia had to chase down a target of 384 runs in the remaining 75 overs on the final day. While Harbhajan worked his magic, it was Tendulkar who got his hands on the ball, dismissing Hayden, Gilchrist and Warne. Harbhajan looked through the middle order and claimed his second five-wicket haul as India registered a historic 171-run victory over Australia on the final day.
India created history as they not only ended Australia’s dominating undefeated run of 16 Test matches, but also became the third team to win a Test match after being asked to follow-on.
The Ganguly-led India team won the three-match series 2-1 and it was none other than Harbhajan Singh, who finished the series with 32 wickets. It was only fitting as India displayed grit, determination and commitment as the side smashed history.
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