Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- Eden Gardens, Kolkata [March 2001].
In the summer of 2001, Australian Cricket Team toured India to play 3 test matches and 5 ODIs. It is pertinent to note that in the previous series the Aussies whitewashed Indians in their home. So, there was certainly a revenge in the air when the Men in Baggy Green landed at the Indian Shores. However, it was not going to be easy task against the mighty Australians who had won 15 test matches in a row and were now eying for a world record. But still everyone was excited for this mouth-watering contest between the two powerhouses of the game.
However, the Visitors just steamrolled the Hosts in the first test at Mumbai and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Even though there were some moments wherein it seemed that Indians could make a comeback. But unfortunately, the same did not happen as the Aussies won the crunch moments and the test by 10 wickets.
The Aussies inflicted the first punch, and it was now time for the Hosts to give them a suitable reply. However, that was not going to be easy at all. To be honest even drawing against Australia in home was a Herculean Task. Forget about winning. The action now shifted to Kolkata. The general consensus was that India had little chance of ending Australia's winning streak.
Additionally, Australia regained dominance on the opening day, scoring 193/1, after Hayden had taken Harbhajan out of the attack. However, Harbhajan made a comeback in the later part of the day as he picked up quick wickets to reduce Australia to 252/7. In the last session, he claimed five wickets, including consecutive wickets of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne, making history as the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick. The almost full Eden Gardens stadium erupted in cheers when Shane Warne was declared out, after an extended wait for the third umpire to decide whether or not the keeper had caught Warne before the ball touched down. Australians were eventually bowled out for 445, with Harbhajan finishing with 7/123.
Despite Laxman's 59, India's first-inning batting performance was dismal as they were all out for 171 with a 274-run deficit. Consequently, the Australians insisted on follow-on, and with India at 232/4 and McGrath having dismissed Ganguly on 48, it appeared as though India was virtually out of the match and the series. But what happened next was something unbelievable. V. V. S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid batted together for the entire day, sharing an incredible 376 runs stand. While Dravid got a classy 180, Laxman scored a whopping 281.
India declared early on the last day at 657/7, with a 383-runs lead, thanks to this incredible partnership, giving Australia an intimidating target of 384 to win. It seemed as though Australia would easily draw the game, but they lost 7 wickets in the last session, falling from 166/3 to be bowled out for 212. Sachin Tendulkar picked up 3 crucial whereas Star Bowler Harbhajan Singh picked up 6/73 for the innings and a match tally of 13/196. India broke Australia's record 16-match winning run and became the third team to win a Test match after being made to follow-on, with Australia having lost all the previous three times.
Postscript- The Indians won the third test at Chennai by just 2 wickets and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Aussie Chariot did come to a halt in the Indian Sub-Continent.
To watch the highlights of that Iconic Test Match, Click Here.
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