Published By: Sayan Guha

BGT: Reliving the Miracle at Eden Gardens! India’s Heroic Comeback Against an Unstoppable Australia

How a historic stand turned the tide for India against the invincible Aussies

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is knocking on the door, ready to take us on another wild ride of rivalry, grit, and cricketing brilliance. The battle lines have been formed, and when India arrives Down Under, fans on both sides of the border are ecstatic. What better way to set the stage than to replay a legendary match—the 2001 Kolkata Test? It was a match that converted doubters into believers, as India rallied to stage one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history.

Let’s rewind to that unforgettable week in March 2001 at Eden Gardens, where India stood their ground and scripted a saga of grit, resilience, and determination.

The giants come marching in

Australia arrived in India in 2001, riding a wave of success, including a 16-Test winning run. They had smashed India by ten wickets in the first Test at Wankhede, led by the indomitable Steve Waugh. For many, it seemed apparent that these monsters would run right over the hosts again at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. But no one expected what started as another Aussie juggernaut to finish up as a testimony to Indian fortitude.

A rocky start: Day 1 drama

On Day 1, the visitors got off to a flying start, with openers Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater tearing through the bowlers, quickly reaching 100. Hayden, at 93, appeared indomitable and poised for a century. The entrance of Harbhajan Singh (7/123) into the assault, however, was a watershed moment. In a stroke of brilliance, the teenage spinner scored India's first Test hat-trick, dismissing Ponting, Gilchrist, and Warne. At the conclusion of the day, Australia was reeling at 269/8—a collapse from which they never really recovered.

Steve Waugh’s counterattack

However, the ever-resilient Steve Waugh was not finished yet. Day 2 resumed with Jason Gillespie; Waugh fought his way to a tough 110, shepherding the tail and leading Australia to an impressive 445. However, India's answer was poor. Wickets crashed like ninepins, and at the conclusion of Day 2, they were at 128/8, facing the prospect of following on.

A new day, a new hope

As Day 3 began, India was battling at 171 in the first innings. VVS Laxman stepped up to No. 3 in the second innings and accepted the challenge, forging a memorable partnership with Rahul Dravid. The two batted for the whole fourth day without losing a wicket, putting together an incredible 376-run partnership. By stumps on Day 4, Laxman scored an incredible 281, with Dravid adding 180. India (657/7 declare) grabbed control, giving Australia an unlikely mark of 384 to chase.

The final showdown: Day 5

Australia started brightly against a challenging target, scoring 166/3 due to Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater. However, Harbhajan Singh's (6/73) timely strikes knocked out Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, undermining the team's confidence. Sachin Tendulkar (3/31) then dismissed Gilchrist for a king two, a record low for Australia. As wickets fell, Australia's (212) chances of a draw evaporated, and India won by 171 runs.

A victory for the ages

The Eden Gardens Test in 2001 was a historic victory for India, highlighted by VVS Laxman's incredible 281, then highest score by an Indian in Tests. His 631-ball innings, together with Rahul Dravid's important 180, created the foundation of India's recovery. Harbhajan Singh got 13 wickets, including a remarkable hat-trick, while Sachin Tendulkar grabbed two crucial wickets, including Gilchrist's, to complete a king pair. This stunning victory exhibited India's tenacity and collaboration against a powerful Australian squad.