India returns to the historic Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001 Test cricket
India performed one of the most memorable comebacks in Test cricket history at the Eden Gardens on 14 March 2001, defeating Australia by 171 runs after being forced to follow on. This match is widely remembered for the partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. who changed the course of the game And set a new benchmark in Indian cricket.
Australia, captained by Steve Waugh, had established a strong position at the beginning of the Test. After scoring a total of 445 runs in their first innings, Australia bowled out India for just 171 runs to take a lead of 274 runs. With a 1–0 lead in the series, Waugh enforced the follow-on, putting India under severe pressure as the hosts looked to avoid another defeat.
India’s second innings got off to a bad start, with Sachin Tendulkar out for 10 and being reduced to 115 for 3. VVS Laxman, who had started rebuilding the innings with captain Sourav Ganguly with a 117-run partnership, came in at number six with Rahul Dravid. The pair faced a strong Australian attack led by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
How did Laxman-Dravid defeat the Australian team?
Laxman and Dravid made a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which is considered one of the greatest in Test cricket. Laxman scored 281, setting a new record for the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests at that time, while Dravid displayed composure and determination during a period of extreme pressure, contributing 180 runs from 353 balls.
Both the batsmen neutralized Australia’s bowling challenge by staying at the crease throughout the day and changed India’s fortunes. Due to his efforts, India declared the innings at 657 runs for 7 wickets, which reduced the deficit and set Australia a challenging target of the fourth innings. The partnership between Laxman and Dravid is often cited as the turning point of the match and the series.
India’s bowlers played the main role on the last day. Harbhajan Singh gave a decisive performance, taking 6 wickets for 73 runs, while Sachin Tendulkar supported him by taking 3 wickets for 31 runs. The Australian batting lineup, which had dominated earlier in the series, was unable to withstand the pressure and was out, giving India a dramatic victory.
Commenting on the win and his partnership with Dravid, Laxman said that the Indian team decided to believe in itself and remained patient and resilient even in defeat.
Laxman said, “25 years ago at Eden Gardens, Rahul and I forged a partnership that will always be special. At a moment when the game seemed beyond us, we chose faith, patience and resilience. That stand was not just about runs, but about belief, 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 that a comeback to cricket is always possible.”
The win meant that India became the third team to win a Test after follow-on, placing them in rare company in the history of the game. The result revived Indian cricket, breaking Australia’s record of 16 match wins, and has since been considered a historic achievement in the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.
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