‘A victory to cherish for a lifetime’: VVS Laxman remembers iconic 2001 Kolkata Check win towards Australia | Cricket Information

File Pic: VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid

NEW DELHI: Former India batter VVS Laxman took to social media on Saturday to reminisce about one of the unforgettable moments in Indian cricket historical past — the epic 2001 Kolkata Check victory towards Australia. As the long-lasting win turned 24 this 12 months, Laxman shared an emotional submit on the platform X, calling it “a victory to cherish for a lifetime.”
Reflecting on the historic triumph, Laxman wrote: “24 years in the past, a victory to cherish for a lifetime, an incredible crew effort and an incredible life instance of by no means ever giving up, how a lot ever unimaginable it might appear now. An absolute privilege to have been a component and to contribute on this very particular win.”
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The 2001 Kolkata Check at Eden Gardens is taken into account one of many best comebacks in Check cricket historical past. Down 0-1 within the three-Check sequence, India discovered themselves in dire straits after being bowled out for 171 in response to Australia’s first-innings complete of 445. Compelled to comply with on, India gave the impression to be heading for a crushing defeat.

Nevertheless, what adopted was nothing in need of a miracle. Promoted to No. 3 within the second innings, Laxman crafted a monumental 281, the best particular person rating by an Indian on the time, turning the sport on its head. Teaming up with Rahul Dravid (180), the duo stitched a record-breaking 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket, batting all the fourth day with out dropping a single wicket.

India finally declared at 657/7, setting Australia a frightening goal of 384 runs. Harbhajan Singh, who had taken 7/123 within the first innings — together with the first-ever Check hat-trick by an Indian — struck once more with figures of 6/73, bowling out the Aussies for 212 and sealing a sensational 171-run victory for India.
The victory stays etched in cricketing folklore as a testomony to resilience and by no means giving up, even within the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The win not solely ended Australia’s 16-match successful streak but additionally marked a turning level for Indian cricket beneath the management of Sourav Ganguly.