We got here to Kolkata after the demoralising loss in Mumbai, the place we had been crushed by 10 wickets. Clearly, morale was low, and the defeat was hurting us. We needed to bounce again. After the primary innings (171 all out), it appeared like a distant dream. How may we tame the mighty Australians? However V.V.S (Laxman) and Rahul (Dravid) confirmed us the best way.
A miracle occurred at Eden Gardens. The best way Dravid and Laxman began batting on the third day and carried on the following was enthralling. However we by no means thought the match would find yourself our method. We realised the Australians had been dropping their shoulders and getting annoyed. After which they panicked when put beneath strain.
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Laxman and Dravid turned the constructive power we wanted. It was contagious, and the dressing room was reworked into one thing past creativeness. The group believed in itself, and the boys backed one another. We felt we had an out of doors likelihood as a result of the pitch was serving to the spinners. Australia had been mentally defeated as a result of they by no means anticipated to bat once more after imposing the follow-on.
The truth is, they had been in a celebratory temper on the finish of the third day. Their physique language mirrored their confidence. However they bumped into Laxman and Dravid. Because the day wore on, their bowlers started to tire and misplaced the chunk to harm us. The Aussies weren’t used to being on the again foot. We had nothing to lose and needed to present aggression within the second innings. We gave it all the pieces.
I performed a small half however was delighted to have the time of my life in that Take a look at match. After which got here Bhajji’s (Harbhajan Singh) hat-trick. When Shane Warne got here in to bat, I knew from watching him that he tended to shuffle throughout. The ball was turning sharply, and I used to be prepared in anticipation. I stood a bit finer than I had for the earlier deliveries and moved barely to my proper. Nobody had advised me to maneuver. It was my resolution. The bowler and the captain weren’t conscious of it. I had my very own plan, and it was thrilling when the ball landed in my palms. Warne had performed into my entice. It was a kind of catches you are feeling proud to take, turning into a part of a historic second. By the best way, Bhajji promised me dinner for that hat-trick catch. I’ve not obtained it but, although.
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It was a part of our plan to be aggressive within the second innings — to hit boundaries and put strain on the bowlers. However Warne was a deadly bowler. He obtained me with a flipper at the same time as I attempted to defend. It took the sting. There was a superb hole between (Adam) Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, and I used to be surprised to see Mark take that catch. My god, anybody else and the ball would have gone to the boundary. India wanted a superb begin. We had one, after which Laxman and Dravid took over.
I believe Laxman and Dravid modified the destiny of Indian cricket. The group grew in confidence and went on to win the next Take a look at at Chepauk, the place I used to be comfortable to attain a fifty. In Chennai, the Steve Waugh dismissal (for dealing with the ball) performed a major function. From 340 for 4, Australia had been all out for 391. Laxman, Dravid and Sachin then constructed the innings, and Australia couldn’t escape Bhajji’s guile. It was a memorable part for Indian cricket.
(As advised to Vijay Lokapally)
Revealed on Mar 14, 2026