At The End Of The Day We Both Were On Drip: VVS Laxman Relives The Giant Partnership With Rahul Dravid

Veteran Indian batsman, VVS Laxman has shed light and made some interesting revelations on his mammoth 376-run stand with Rahul Dravid in the famous Kolkata Test of 2001 against Australia.

In the 2001 Eden Gardens Test Laxman and Dravid paired up to script a brilliant comeback for India with their 376 runs fifth-wicket stand in the second innings against Australia during the second Test.

Laxman scored his best-ever 281 runs while Dravid contributed 180 crucial runs to lift India from 254/4 to 589/4 after following on. The partnership also helped India register victory by 171 runs.

VVS Laxman Sheds Light On The Very Very Special Partnership

“After that partnership with Sourav, Rahul (Dravid) joined me. Not once did we discuss about the batting position nor did Rahul show any disappointment,” wrote Laxman.

“We just talked to each other the way we talked to each other when we played for South Zone. There was serenity whenever I batted with Rahul. On the fourth morning, we knew the importance of the second new ball. We knew that once we got through that phase and if we played to our strengths, the Australians would start making errors,’ he added.

Laxman said, “They were in desperate need of wickets and had to bat on the fifth day. We capitalised on the opportunities and suddenly we saw the Australians panicking. They gave us a lot of boundary balls and we knew that because of the heat and humidity they were getting tired. And so were we. That was the time when we helped each other. I was battling back spasm and Rahul was cramping really bad.”

A Lot Of Contribution From The Dressing Room

“We motivated each other – one ball, one over, one hour. As it turned out, we batted the whole day.

“There was also a lot of contribution from everyone in the changing room. We could see the positivity, enthusiasm, the anticipation of doing something special coming back. At the end of the day’s play, both of us were on drips,” VVS added.

India eventually declared their second innings on 657/7 and bowled the Australians out on 212 to register an emphatic 171-run victory.

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