One of the greatest triumphs in Test cricket history was orchestrated by Sourav Ganguly’s India at Eden Gardens 25 years ago.
Ex-cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, and former captain Saurav Ganguly gathered in Kolkata to revisit the historic 2001 Test match against Australia. They reminisced about the 376-run partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman at the famous Eden Gardens, a series-saving partnership that encapsulated the tenacious, never-say-die, and resilient nature of Indian cricket.
The luminaries convened for a conversation at RevSportz Trailblazers 4.0, where Sourav Ganguly participated virtually and Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Venkatesh Prasad shared their recollections of the historic comeback.
India needed to win in Kolkata to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy alive after losing by ten wickets at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India were asked to follow-on after falling behind by 274 runs, and with a stunning 281 from Laxman and a calm 180 from Dravid, they went from 232/4 to 608. With a lead of 383 runs, India declared at 657/7. Australia were dismissed for 212 runs after Harbhajan (6/73) wreaked havoc.
This kept the series alive going into the third Test in Chennai, which India also won thanks to a 15-wicket haul by Harbhajan, who won “Player of the Series” for taking 32 wickets in three Tests at an average of 17.03 with best figures of 8/84.
Thinking back on that incredible victory, Ganguly stated, “It was destiny. It was a fairytale. I do not have a recipe for that. I did not do that. It just happened.”
Harbhajan Singh, who was instrumental with the ball throughout the series, was one of the masterminds behind that triumph. Regarding his relationship with the venue, he stated, “I came to this world due to my parents, but I do not know what I would be without Eden Gardens.”
He also remembered how he was given the chance to play in the Test.
“Whenever I come here, those memories come to mind. Of course, Anil Kumble bhai got injured. John Wright wanted someone who could take wickets. They called everyone to bowl in the nets and thought I was the best of the lot. Ganguly insisted on having me. I was taking wickets in domestic cricket.”
Looking back at the final day of the Kolkata Test, Harbhajan added, “I think on that fifth day we had the total on the board. Knowing Australia, they would come hard at us. When to declare and when not to declare was the question in the dressing room. In the end, around 74 to 76 overs were enough. Those superb catches by Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sundar Das and S Ramesh. That Test gave us belief.”
Another participant in that unforgettable game, Venkatesh Prasad, thought back on a moment that still sticks in his memory.
“I dropped a catch. I lost it because the crowd was behind me. In the tea session, it was hell for me. I was feeling rotten. It kept playing on TV. These two guys, commentators Ravi Shastri and Ian Chappell, kept talking about it. You do not want to be near the coach, John Wright. John said, ‘You have got to take those catches, man.'”
Zaheer Khan also talked about his recollections of that incredible turnaround.
“At the beginning of the fourth day, we had a chat. Chetan Chauhan was our manager, I think. He said, ‘We should not lose a wicket for the entire day’. Laxman and Dravid, the way they batted, the lead kept growing. Eventually, we reached a position from which we could not lose the game.”
Harbhajan referred to Ganguly as “the best captain I played under” and lauded him as well.
Recalling an incident that illustrated his leadership, he said, “Once I was dropped in seaming conditions. Only one of Kumble or I could have played, and it was the great Anil bhai. The next day he (Ganguly) called me. I did not go. He called again, but I was angry and did not go. He even said, ‘I am making coffee for you.’ A very nice guy.”
“Ganguly was very approachable,” said Zaheer.
One of India’s most successful Test captains, Ganguly led the country in all formats from 2000 to 2005, winning 21 of his 49 games, losing 13, and drawing 15.
