VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid (Photo AFP) NEW DELHI: VVS Laxman, former India batsman and current head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Center of Excellence, looked back on the 25th anniversary of the famous fourth day of the historic India vs Australia Test at Eden Gardens 2001 – a match that is remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!On March 14, 2001, India were on the verge of a crushing defeat at home. After a heavy loss in the first Test of the series, the hosts were forced to continue in the second match at the Eden Gardens.
EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Dravid’s iconic Eden Gardens win against Australia in 2001
When play began on the fourth morning in Kolkata, the situation in India looked dire. The team were 254 for 4 in their second innings – still trailing by 20 runs with six wickets remaining. Australia appeared to be in complete control and an Indian defeat seemed inevitable.What followed, however, was one of the most remarkable batting performances in Test history. Laxman, who went on to 109 overnight, produced a master class with the bat that changed the course of the match. At the end of the day’s play, he made it to an amazing 275 not out.Rahul Dravid provided perfect support at the other end. Starting the day on just seven runs, Dravid went on to compile a brilliant 155 not out, building a legendary partnership with Laxman that eventually turned the Test on its head and earned a permanent place in cricketing folklore.“25 years ago at the Eden Gardens, Rahul and I shared a partnership that will forever remain special. At a time when the game looked beyond us, we chose faith, patience and resilience. That stand was not just about runs, it was about trust, teamwork and fighting for every session. Grateful to have shared that journey with Rahul and to have been part of a Test that reminded us all that comebacks are always possible in cricket and Lax.”Laxman was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 281, the highest individual score in a Test by an Indian batter at the time. Dravid, his partner in the epic stand, also produced a marathon effort before being run out for 180. India eventually declared their second innings at a brilliant 657/7.Chasing a daunting target, Australia collapsed in the fourth innings and were bowled out for just 212. Harbhajan Singh played the ball and took six wickets as India completed one of the most unusual victories in Test cricket history.
