In Indian cricket circles, if one travels back in time to 2001, two people and a legendary location are nearly invariably the subject of lengthy conversations.
Everything was at stake for Sourav Ganguly’s team when VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid met in the middle of a turbulent Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Eden Gardens in March 2001. India had let the visitors take charge in the first two days of the three-match series in Kolkata, following their crushing defeat over Australia in the opening Test in Mumbai. Australia forced the follow-on after defeating India for 171 runs in the first innings after posting 445. India had to overcome the odds to win the title again; only twice had a team triumphed after being asked to go on.
After Ganguly’s dismissal, India had fallen to 202 for four before tea on Day 3. Dravid entered at six and finished the day at 254/4 with Laxman. Australia’s bowling map was quickly destroyed by the middle-order bulwarks, who batted to 589/4 and made history. In the end, India crushed the Australians in the last Test in Chennai, winning by a commanding 171 runs on the final day of play.