On this day in 2001: The partnership that redefined cricket : Cricket, News

Highlights

• Laxman and Dravid played with two of the greatest innings to add 335 runs

• While Dravid was unbeaten on 155 Laxman went into unbeaten on 275

• Harbhajan chose a hat-trick from the fourth innings since India won the game by runs

Back in the summer of 2001, India were far removed from the modern-day Test giants – on home soil, when there came a Australia to see to get a series.

India, it would appear, were ready for the men from down under. The Aussies had whitewashed them 3-0 and on their return home, South Africa drubbed 2-0 to them.

There was the one-off Test against Bangladesh and also two Tests against Zimbabwe. India managed two win among those but not without stiff resistance in the opposition.

And when the show against Australia got in the March of 2001, there was. The Aussies, led by Steve Waugh, steamrolled India to extend their winning streak.

Things looked just as gloomy at the Test at the Eden Gardens. Australia had piled up 445 and India were pumped out to 171 and following on, were tottering in 115/3 once Rahul Dravid joined VVS Laxman at the middle. The Eden crowd was aghast. Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, the very recognized batsmen in the group, have been gone and Australia were passing flame.

Laxman had revealed course within his 21 Tests up till that point – few could have abandoned his 167 at Sydeny. Dravid was regarded as extremely gifted but India had to see.

March 14, 2001 was when they first saw what these two could do. With their backs against the wall, India roared back as Dravid and Laxman orchestrated one of the best comebacks in Test cricket. They were 254/4 in stumps on day 3. Australia could have hoped to wrap up things fast, when proceeding were resumed by the duo on the fourth day.

Rather, Laxman and Dravid played with two of the best innings to add 335 runs to bat Australia out of this match and the set. While Dravid was unbeaten on 155 Laxman went into unbeaten on 275.

It was anticipated Laxman would move on to become the first centurion for India but that was he perished for 281, not be. A record which remained till Virender Sehwag hammered it. Dravid was the next day, out for 181 but India had enough to the board to set a pulsating Test game.

As a astonished Australia went down by runs, Harbhajan Singh ended it off.

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