Australia were ruling world cricket at the start of 2001. They had won 16 Test matches in a row and had also won the first Test against India in Mumbai with ease.
It was the second test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. India was under pressure. Australia scored 445 runs in the first innings. India was bowled out for just 171 in the first innings. Follow-on was given. It seemed that the match was about to end. But fate had something else written for it.
Pair of Laxman and Dravid
India got off to a shaky start in the second innings too. But when VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid came to the crease, the tide of the match changed. Laxman first completed his half-century, then a century and then 200. He was dismissed for 281 – the highest score by an Indian batsman at that time.
Dravid also played a classic innings of 180 runs. Both of them together made a partnership of 376 runs.
The Turning Point
When both batsmen played the whole day without getting out, Australia looked tired and broke for the first time. India declared the innings at 657/7 and set Australia a target of 384 runs.
Harbhajan Singh took 6 wickets to bowl out Australia for 212. India won the match by 171 runs — the third time in Test history that a team had won after being forced to follow on.
conclusion
This Test was not just a victory — it symbolised a change in the mindset of Indian cricket. Laxman and Dravid instilled the belief that we can beat anyone — in any conditions.