Cricket Classics - Part Xi : 2001 Kolkata Test – India vs Australia

Hello, fellow Sports Enthusiasts,

Cricket is not just a sport between two teams; it's a battle of skills, strategy, and capitalizing on clutch moments. Although the game has transformed over the decades, it has never failed to impress or leave us with unforgettable moments.

So, through this series, I will present some of the most iconic cricket matches that have made fans jump out of their seats. Let's remember those legendary games once a week. Anyway, after missing out a few weeks, here I am with another iconic match.

Made by leonardo.ai

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With the heat and excitement in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, I researched a bit more about its history. Well, I found this 2001 Kolkata Test and the series. It was one hell of a match and one of the greatest comebacks in Test Cricket history.

Australia visited India in 2001 for a 5-ODI, and 3-Test matches series, under Steve Waugh. It was a fearful squad at the time with Hayden, Ponting, Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Warne, Gilchrist, McGrath, etc. They came to the series on a 16-match winning streak in Test cricket, hoping for a series win in India., and started well with a comfortable win in the first match.

India on the other hand was a competitive and hardworking team under Sourav Ganguly, with Sachin, Dravid, Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, etc.

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It was the 11th of March 2001 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Steve Waugh won the toss, and they started to bat first. Michael Slater(42) and Matthew Hayden(97) got the perfect start with a 103-run partnership for the first wicket. Then Justin Langer partnered him scoring a fifty. Finally, Steve Waugh(110) anchored with the middle and tail being there until the last wicket. Waugh added 133 runs for the 9th wicket with Jason Gillespie, which made the difference after losing wickets in the middle.

Australia put up a strong total of 445 runs. Harbhajan Singh was the key baller for India taking 7 wickets for 123. He became the first Indian to take a hat trick in Test cricket dismissing Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Warne.

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Anyway, the reply from India for that was very poor. They lost the first wicket in the second over, and Australian ballers kept taking regular wickets from there. Only VVS Laxman scored an attacking 59 runs, being there until the last wicket. No one else could cross the 30-run mark even. India was all out for just 171 runs, resulting in a follow-on, being 274 runs behind.

In the second inning, India started well with a 52-run partnership for the first wicket. Then VVS Laxman joined to bat. After a few partnerships and 117 runs for the fourth wickets, India finished the third day in a considerably good position. They were 252/4, Laxman and Dravid on batting.

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The unthinkable, and the miracle happened on day 04. These two completely dominated and batted a full day giving an an extraordinary partnership of 376 runs for the fifth wicket. VVS Laxman was the pioneer of that scoring 281 runs off 452 balls, with 44 fours. He was defensive, yet elegant and fearless. At that time it was the highest score for an Indian batter. Apart from that, Rahul Dravid's provided the perfect support with 180 runs. So, finally, India declared at 657/7.

Australia needed 384 runs with around 75 overs. The openers started well, and they were in a good position for a draw. After 45 overs, the score was 166/3. Anyway, the match match turned out in India's favor once again.

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Harbhajan Singh took two wickets in the same over, and then Tendulkar took another in the next over, another two crucial wickets in the next two overs. Eventough we know about Tendulkar's batting, he is quite handy in balling as well. Australia was bowled out for 212, India winning the match by 171 runs.

It was the only the third time in 150+ years Test Cricket history to win after a follow-on.

See you at the next episode!! You can always suggest a match to discuss in the next episode.

src - Wikipedia
espncricinfo

Thank you.
Best Regards!