Confidence level changed after Harbhajan’s hat-trick – VVS Laxman recalls the famous 2001 Kolkata Test

There is no doubt that the 2001 Kolkata Test match against Australia turned the tide for the Indian cricket. Beating the champion Australian side after being asked to follow-on was magical. VVS Laxman, who had played a gargantuan knock of 281 runs, recalled the events of the famous Test match.

There were three main heroes in India’s dramatic win – VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Harbhajan Singh. Laxman feels the confidence level of the team changed after Harbhajan Singh took a hat-trick in the second innings.

There is a huge difference between a win and a draw and one might not have remembered the Kolkata Test match had it ended in a stalemate. Thus, Harbhajan’s six wickets in the second dig played a key role in India’s triumph.

India was behind the eight ball after they were skittled out for 171 runs in the first innings in response to Australia’s 445. The visitors had already won the first Test at Mumbai and it looked that the series was done and dusted for the hosts.

Subsequently, Laxman and Dravid added 376 runs as they batted undefeated on the penultimate day. Suddenly there was a ray of hope as Dravid and Laxman battled against the cramps and scored magnum opus knocks 180 and 281 respectively. Thus, India posted a mammoth total of 657 runs, giving a target of 384 runs to the Steve Waugh-led side.

Harbhajan had scalped seven wickets in the first innings and was able to back it up with six in the second essay. India bowled out Australia for 212 runs in the second innings and thus won by 171 runs to level the series. Laxman, who was awarded the Man of the match, added that the whole country was celebrating with them.

“We immediately had to go to Chennai. There was very little time to celebrate, but it felt like the whole country was celebrating along with us after that victory,” Laxman told the Times of India in an interview.

“It was very tough to hit Bhajji the way he was bowling. The best part was Bhajji taking a hat-trick. The confidence levels suddenly changed after the hat-trick. Some brilliant catches as well,” the former Indian batsman added.

Harbhajan Singh bettered his performance in Chennai as he scalped 15 wickets in the final Test. India won that match by two wickets and sealed the series 2-1.