New Delhi: On this day in 2001, India produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in Test history to stun Australia after being asked to follow on in the Kolkata Test at the Eden Gardens. India defeated Australia by 171 runs in the Test match to register a famous victory, thanks to an epic partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

Laxman slammed a brilliant 281-run knock, while Dravid scored 180 as the duo shared a marathon 376-run partnership to change the course of the Test match in India’s second innings. Their epic partnership helped India overhaul a 271-run lead and set a daunting target for Australia in the fourth innings to set up a monumental victory.

Steve Waugh-led Australia dominated the proceedings in their first innings after winning the toss and opting to bat first in the Test match. Skipper Waugh led from the front with a magnificent 110-run knock, while Matthew Hayden (97) and Justin Langer (58) contributed with half-centuries apiece to propel the visitors to a massive total of 445 runs.

In reply, India were skittled out for a paltry 171 runs against a quality Aussie bowling attack led by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in their first innings. McGrath ran through the Indian batting line-up with a four-wicket haul to secure a huge lead of 271 runs for Australia, putting them on top in the Test match.

Having secured a 1-0 lead in the series, Waugh decided to enforce the follow-on against India, putting the hosts under tremendous pressure. Not many expected India to survive as the hosts once again got off to a poor start and were left tottering at 3/115 at one stage after losing their openers and Sachin Tendulkar (10) cheaply.

Laxman, who came out to bat at no.3, then combined with skipper Sourav Ganguly to lead India’s fightback in the Test match. Ganguly scored 48 off 81 deliveries and combined with Laxman to add a valuable 117-run stand for the fourth wicket. Laxman was not done after Ganguly’s dismissal as he joined hands with Dravid for a marathon partnership for the 5th wicket.

25 years ago at Eden Gardens Rahul and I shared a partnership that will forever remain special. In a moment when the game looked beyond us we chose belief, patience and resilience. That stand was not just about runs but was about trust, teamwork and fighting for every session.… pic.twitter.com/KHlge77Q1g

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)

Laxman and Dravid combined to share a mammoth 376-run stand for the fifth wicket to bail India out of trouble and spark a massive turnaround for the hosts. Laxman notched up a magnificent 281-run knock, his career highest and a record individual score at the time.

Dravid slammed a brilliant knock of 180 runs off 353 deliveries as the duo showcased great intensity, resolve and endurance to frustrate the Australian bowlers. Laxman and Dravid batted through an entire day to help India overhaul Australia’s 271-run lead, propelling the hosts to a massive total of 657/7.

Their epic partnership of 376 runs helped India take a huge lead of 386 runs in their second innings and set Australia a daunting target of 377 runs. Harbhajan Singh bagged a six-wicket haul as India skittled out Australia for 212 runs in their second innings to script a famous 171-run victory in the Eden Gardens Test.

It was one of the finest batting performances from India in Test history as they became only the third team at the time to win a Test match after being asked to follow-on.