Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: VVS Laxman, former India batter and current head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre 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 remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!On March 14, 2001, India were on the brink of a crushing defeat on home soil. After losing the first Test of the series heavily, the hosts were forced to follow on in the second match at Eden Gardens.
When play began on the fourth morning in Kolkata, India’s situation looked dire. The team were 254 for 4 in their second innings — still trailing by 20 runs with six wickets remaining. Australia appeared to have complete control and an Indian defeat seemed inevitable.What followed, however, was one of the most remarkable batting performances in Test history. Laxman, who had resumed on 109 overnight, produced a masterclass with the bat that transformed the course of the match. By the end of the day’s play, he had raced to a stunning 275 not out.At the other end, Rahul Dravid provided the perfect support. Starting the day on just seven runs, Dravid went on to compile a magnificent 155 not out, building a legendary partnership with Laxman that would ultimately turn the Test on its head and earn a permanent place in cricket folklore.“25 years ago at Eden Gardens Rahul and I shared a partnership that will forever remain special. In a moment when the game looked beyond us we chose belief, patience and resilience. That stand was not just about runs but was about trust, teamwork and fighting for every session. Grateful to have shared that journey with Rahul and to be part of a Test that reminded us all that in cricket comebacks are always possible,” Laxman wrote on X while sharing a picture of him and Dravid.Laxman was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 281, which at the time was the highest individual Test score by an Indian batter. 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 commanding 657/7.Chasing a daunting target, Australia collapsed in the fourth innings and were bowled out for just 212. Harbhajan Singh starred with the ball, picking up six wickets as India completed one of the most extraordinary victories in Test cricket history.
