Published By: Sanchari Das

BGT: Not Aussies, But This Pair Owns Adelaide's 5th-Wicket Partnership Record

Credit -- Al Jazeera

The surprising duo that holds Adelaide's most memorable fifth-wicket record

When discussing the highest partnerships at Adelaide Oval, it's natural to assume Australian batters dominate the records. This assumption holds for the highest-ever partnership at the ground—386 runs by former Australian captains Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke against India in 2012. However, this record is for a 4th-wicket stand. Surprisingly, the highest 5th-wicket partnership belongs to Indian legends VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, who put together an unforgettable 303 runs in 2003. Let's revisit their historic innings.

India in Trouble

The story unfolds during the 2003-04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the second Test at Adelaide, India found themselves in dire straits. Chasing Australia's massive first-innings total of 556, the visitors were reeling at 85/4. Ricky Ponting had delivered a masterful 242 to set the stage for Australia's dominance. India's reply began poorly as both openers, Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag, fell with only 81 runs on the board. Andy Bichel's early strikes left India's hopes hanging by a thread.

A miraculous turnaround begins

Enter Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. With India desperate for a rescue act, the duo came together and began rebuilding. By stumps on Day 2, they had put on an unbeaten 95-run partnership, ensuring the team stayed afloat. The next day, they displayed remarkable resilience. Blunting the sharp spells from Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, and Stuart MacGill, they steadily chipped away at the deficit. Their grit and tenacity bore fruit as both batters reached magnificent centuries by the second session of Day 3.

The record partnership

Dravid and Laxman's stand flourished into a colossal 303-run partnership—the highest ever for the 5th wicket at Adelaide. Laxman dazzled with a sublime 148, while Dravid anchored the innings with a monumental 233. Their combined effort erased a significant chunk of Australia's lead and deflated the Australian bowling attack. Andy Bichel eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Laxman, but the damage had been done. India's first-innings total of 523 kept them firmly in the contest.

Turning the tables on Australia

With just a 33-run lead, Australia faced India's revitalised bowling attack in their second innings. Ajit Agarkar delivered a spell for the ages, taking 6/41 to bundle out the hosts for just 196. This left India with a target of 230 runs to chase. Despite a few hiccups, the visitors relied once again on Dravid's calm presence. He scored an unbeaten 72, guiding India to a historic four-wicket victory. Dravid fittingly sealed the match with a boundary off Stuart MacGill, etching the triumph in Indian cricket's history.

Rewriting Adelaide's record books

Dravid and Laxman's partnership surpassed the previous 5th-wicket record at Adelaide Oval—249 runs by Australia's Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting against India in 1999. This extraordinary achievement became the 6th-highest partnership overall at the venue. It showcased the duo's unmatched ability to succeed in crisis and perform against formidable opposition in challenging conditions.

Dravid's heroics and India's rare glory

Rahul Dravid's contributions didn't end with his double century. His unbeaten 72 in the second innings cemented his status as the backbone of India's batting lineup. For his match-winning knocks of 233 and 72, Dravid was rightfully named Player of the Match. His 619 runs in the series also earned him the Player of the Series honour. This victory marked only India's fourth Test win on Australian soil and their first-ever lead in a Test series Down Under.

Can history be rewritten?

Questions arise as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy returns to Adelaide on December 6, 2024. Can another duo replicate or even surpass the magic of Dravid and Laxman? The second Test will be crucial for both teams aiming for a spot in the World Test Championship final. India looks strong with Rohit Sharma back to lead, and Shubman Gill is expected to return. Australia, wounded after a crushing defeat in the first Test, will seek redemption. Only time will reveal if another chapter of history will be written at Adelaide Oval.