Cricket has become very fast these days. Now even 500 runs are seen in a test match, so 600,700 is too much. But there was a time when both patience and technique were tested in cricket. In such a situation, many memorable innings also came out. One of them was the innings of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the Kolkata Test against Australia. Perhaps that innings will be remembered by cricket fans not only in India but all over the world.
The highlight of that match was the 376-run partnership between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. Both batted for 104.1 overs without losing a wicket. For more than a full day, both the players remained at the crease and took India out of the throes of defeat and led them to victory. But do you know that Dravid had come out of viral fever at that time?
VVS Laxman once wrote in the column of Times of India that, ‘Rahul Dravid played in this test match due to viral fever. He was facing difficulties on many occasions but despite this he scored 180 runs. He was the vice-captain and he handed me his number-3 position in the second innings. The spirit he showed again by landing at No. 6 at the crease is an education for all.
India won this Test match by 171 runs even while playing follow-on. What happened in this match was recorded on the pages of the history of Test cricket. In fact, Australia had scored 445 runs in the first play, in response, the Indian team was reduced to just 171 runs. After this, Team India had to play follow-on and the score was 4 wickets at 232 at one time. India were still 42 runs behind.
After this, Rahul Dravid, who came to bat at number six that day, took the lead with VVS Laxman on the set. Both the batsmen thickened such a peg that after that India did not lose any wicket that day. By the end of the day, India’s score was 4 for 589. After this, the next day, India declared their innings at 657 for 7 and set Australia a target of 384 runs.
Very Very Special Laxman shared 376 runs for the 5th wicket with The Wall. Laxman scored 281 runs in this innings and Dravid contributed 180 runs. After this, the Australian team was reduced to 212 due to Harbhajan Singh’s lethal bowling and hat-trick. India won this historic match by 171 runs and Harbhajan Singh took a total of 13 (7,6) wickets in this match.