Relive the greatest comeback in the history of Indian cricket

On this day in  2001, Indian cricket witnessed a remarkable turnaround in the Kolkata Test against Australia as Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman put together a fabled 376 run stand to set up a historic win. 

After losing the opening test, India had their task cut out against a mighty Australian side. The Kangaroos posted a massive first innings score of 445. India in reply were bundled out for a lowly 171. Following on, with the scoreboard reading a delicate 115/3, Laxman joined Dravid at the crease, laying the foundation for a monumental counter attack. 

With their team in deep waters, Laxman and Dravid produced one of the most epic fightbacks ever seen in a cricket match. They took India to 254/4 by nearly the end of third day’s play, leaving Australia believing a rapid wrap-up of the innings the following day. However, what unravelled was batting of the highest order. 

The duo put on a staggering display, compiling a partnership that not only resuscitated India’s fortunes but also casted down the Australia bowlers. Laxman’s scintillating innings ended at 281, a record shattering score that was the highest by an Indian batter in red ball cricket until excelled by Virender Sehwag. 

Dravid, too, played a tremendous knock, amassing 155 runs before being dismissed at 181 the next day. 

Their legendary stand not only took India out of a precarious position but also laid the foundation for a sensational victory. Harbhajan Singh’s six-for in the second innings put seal to an extraordinary win for the hosts, successfully scripting a comeback and a half. This match remains engraved in the records of cricket history, depicting the spirit of resilience and resolve of the Indian team. 

Hemang Badani put the magnitude of the win into context via a tweet in which he said that the team had their bags packed and dispatched to the airport before the genius of the duo. 

“Not many know that at the end of day 3 we had packed our suitcases, they were to be taken straight to the airport and the team was to go straight to the airport from ground. And then these two batted like magicians without losing a wicket the entire day,” he wrote.

Laxman and Rahul Dravid work closely with the Indian cricket team as the latter is the coach of the senior men’s team while the former is the National Cricket Academy director.