Cricket has often been described as a game of glorious uncertainties, but few matches have exemplified this axiom as profoundly as the historic Kolkata Test of 2001 between India and Australia. What unfolded at Eden Gardens was not just a cricket match—it was an epic saga of defiance, endurance, and redemption, culminating in one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Test cricket. It was only the third instance in Test history where a team that had followed on emerged victorious, and for the third time, Australia was on the receiving end of this rare humiliation.
At the heart of India’s sensational fightback were two
heroes who etched their names into cricketing folklore—VVS Laxman, whose silken
strokeplay mesmerized the world, and Rahul Dravid, whose unwavering resilience
formed the backbone of India's resurgence. Complementing their heroics was
Harbhajan Singh, whose remarkable off-spin wizardry not only brought India’s
first-ever Test hat-trick but also dismantled the mighty Australians when it
mattered most.
Australia’s Early
Dominance and Harbhajan’s Hat-trick
The visitors began with characteristic authority, asserting
their dominance on a surface that initially offered little for the bowlers. The
foundation of their imposing first-innings total of 445 was laid by Matthew
Hayden, who combined brute force with calculated aggression to compile a
commanding 97. Steve Waugh, the indomitable Australian captain, further
strengthened their grip with a defiant century, guiding his team through a
late-order collapse triggered by the young Harbhajan Singh. The off-spinner’s devastating
spell saw him claim India’s first-ever Test hat-trick, dismissing Ricky
Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne in rapid succession. Despite this
setback, Australia’s tail wagged admirably, as Jason Gillespie and Glenn
McGrath offered staunch resistance, helping Waugh extend the innings before he
eventually fell for a fighting 110.
India’s First-Innings
Collapse and the Spark of a Fightback
With the pitch still playing true, India had every reason to
mount a strong reply, but what followed was a nightmare. A rampant Glenn
McGrath tore through the Indian top order with surgical precision, his
relentless accuracy yielding figures of 4 for 18. India crumbled for a paltry
171, handing Australia a colossal lead of 274. The match seemed all but
over.
Yet, amidst the ruins, a glimmer of hope emerged. VVS
Laxman’s 59 was a rare moment of defiance, a stroke-filled innings that hinted
at the elegance and tenacity he would soon unleash in full force. Recognizing
his brilliance, the Indian think tank made a crucial decision—promoting Laxman
to No. 3 in the second innings. It was a move that would alter the course of
history.
Laxman and Dravid:
The Epic Partnership That Defied Fate
What followed was an exhibition of batting that transcended
the realm of sport and entered the domain of legend. Laxman, with his
effortless grace, and Dravid, with his stoic determination, produced a
partnership of such monumental brilliance that it single-handedly reversed
India’s fortunes. For over ten and a half hours, the duo blunted, dismantled,
and demoralized the Australian attack. Laxman’s strokeplay was an aesthetic
marvel—his wristy flicks and regal drives flowed like poetry in motion.
Meanwhile, Dravid was the immovable rock at the other end, absorbing every
challenge with unflappable concentration.
Their unbroken stand of 335 runs on the fourth day—without
losing a wicket—was a feat of superhuman endurance. By the time they were
finally separated at 376, they had rewritten record books, eclipsing multiple
Indian and international milestones. Laxman’s 281, the highest individual score
for India at the time, was a masterpiece, and Dravid’s 180 was the perfect
complement to it.
With the lead swelling past 380, Sourav Ganguly boldly
declared at 657 for 7, setting Australia an improbable target of 384. The stage
was now set for an exhilarating finish.
Harbhajan and Tendulkar
Weave a Web of Spin
Australia, accustomed to steamrolling opposition, had the
batting depth to chase or at least save the game. Openers Hayden and Michael
Slater began watchfully, adding 74 runs and raising visions of an escape. But
once the breakthrough came, the visitors unravelled.
Harbhajan, continuing his golden spell, spun a web around
the Australians, picking up six wickets in the second innings. Tendulkar, often
overshadowed for his bowling, delivered three crucial blows, including the
prized scalps of Hayden and Gilchrist—who suffered the ignominy of a king pair.
The mighty Australians, who had won 16 consecutive Tests, were bowled out for
212, their invincibility shattered.
Conclusion: A Victory
for the Ages
When the final Australian wicket fell, Eden Gardens erupted
in sheer ecstasy. This was more than just a Test match victory—it was a triumph
of perseverance over adversity, a testament to the resilience of a team that
refused to surrender. The Kolkata Test of 2001 became a defining moment in
Indian cricket, proving that mental strength and self-belief could triumph against
the greatest of odds.
Laxman’s artistry, Dravid’s grit, and Harbhajan’s brilliance ensured that this match would forever be etched in cricketing folklore. For Steve Waugh’s Australians, it was a rare setback in an otherwise dominant era. But for India, it was the dawn of a new chapter—a chapter that heralded their rise as a cricketing powerhouse, ready to challenge and conquer the best in the world.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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