Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden looked back at the iconic partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in Kolkata in the 2001 Test series. In the second match of the three-match series, the hosts clawed their way back, escaping from the jaws of defeat. 

The duo held their grounds for an unbreakable 376-run partnership at the Eden Gardens in 2001 as India clinched a historic win over the mighty Aussies.

Australia’s Matthew Hayden, who works in close quarters in India during the IPL and other international tournaments, was present at a CEAT Cricket awards event. When asked about his fond memory of Dravid, the 52-year-old could not help but recall the 2001 Eden Gardens Test.

What did Matthew Hayden say about the Dravid-Laxman partnership at Eden Gardens?

Matthew Hayden revealed Australia’s pre-mature post-match plans during the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) match in Kolkata, way back in 2001. The southpaw recalled Michael Slater’s plans of smoking Cuban cigars, with him being most certain of the visitors beating the hosts at the Eden Gardens. 

Rahul Dravid’s partnership with VVS Laxman played a spoilsport for all of Australia’s post-match victory scenes. Dravid’s 180 alongside Laxman’s 281, was valiant enough to help India secure the win and level the series. A loss at the time, and Australia would have won the series 2-0, with a game to spare. 

The southpaw said, “Sadly, from an Australian cricket point of view, it was the incredible partnership that he had up at Eden Gardens. There was nothing more sacred but that partnership with VVS Laxman.

“We walked onto the bus that day up in Kolkata and there was a fresh box of Cuban cigars and Michael Slater said we’ll be smoking these at the end of the day and we’ll have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In a game, which can tempt you to win at all costs Rahul Dravid won on the principles of cricket and the principles of life.”

What happened in India vs Australia 2001 Kolkata Test?

Trailing by 445 runs after Australia’s first innings, India suffered a massive blow, as they were dismissed for 171. In the follow-on innings, Indian duo Dravid (180) and Laxman (281) stood firm in the middle, with India declaring at 657/7 in their second innings. 

The hosts were eventual winners by 171 runs in Kolkata, with the visitors bundled up for 212. A Test so iconic, that the opposition still speaks about it, nearly 25 years down the line, with shivers down their spines.