On this day in 2001, the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Chennai ended with India winning the game and the series

At present, India is a dominant force in world cricket, but nearly two decades ago, the situation was different. Australia was the dominant force in cricket – in fact, they were often seen as bullies – while India was a meek team that, despite having talented players, did not know how to stand up for itself and fight back. It all changed when Sourav Ganguly took charge of the team’s captaincy and instilled confidence in the players to answer back, not only with the bat but verbally as well.

During Ganguly’s captaincy, India staged several comebacks on the field, with one notable incident occurring in 2001 when the team rallied against the formidable Australians to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The final day of the third Test played in Chennai was on March 22, when India lifted the trophy against the star-filled Australian side.

The Hayden & Harbhajan show

Having won the second Test and equalled the series, the Chennai Test became the series decider, and neither side was willing to give up. Batting first, Australia scored 391 runs, with Matthew Hayden contributing a remarkable 203 runs off 320 balls and Mark Waugh adding another 70 runs.

While Indian bowlers were struggling to control Australia’s onslaught, Harbhajan Singh gave continuous breakthroughs, picking seven wickets in the first innings. In fact, four Australian batters were sent home for a duck by Harbhajan Singh, and even the wicket of Hayden was scalped by the “Turbanator”.

Sachin Tendulkar’s magic & collective show

In response, India put on a collective show with 84 runs off Shiv Sunder Das, 61 runs by Sadagoppan Ramesh, 65 from the willow of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid’s 81-run innings. However, Sachin Tendulkar gave the team a massive boost with 126 runs scored in 230 balls at a strike rate of 54.78, including 15 fours and two sixes. Collectively, India posted 501 runs in their first innings.

Wrath of Singh

Harbhajan Singh wasn’t fully done with his mayhem in the first innings, as he continued to trouble the Aussie batters in the second innings as well. Singh picked eight more wickets, taking his total wicket tally in the game to 15, halting Australia at a mere score of 264.

In India’s second innings, the Men in Blue scored the required 155 runs in 41.1 overs and conquered the series against Steve Waugh’s Australia.

India’s victory on this day 25 years ago will forever be etched in the history books of Test cricket.