15th March, 2001 - A "very very special" (VVS) day !!

Nah, nothing specific happened in my professional life that day, or if it did, I don't remember it. But it's a "very, very special" day, and it has been for 23 years and will stay that way for me till my very end—and I am pretty sure it will be the same for "many, many" (if not all) Indian cricket fans and global cricket fans the world over. 

March 15, 2001, is etched forever in my memory and heart !! I still vividly remember ( and I generally don't remember much nowadays) exactly where I was, what I wore, where I sat, and what I ate that day. 

Looking back, it's one of the greatest comeback stories in Cricket. 

Australia is one of the world's greatest and strongest cricket-playing nations - the land of Donald Bradman! Steve Waugh (amongst my favorite cricketers who have graced the game) was the captain of this beast of a team. Australia, the great winning "machine" that trounced every nation, wherever they played - had NOT defeated India in India. For the legendary Steve Waugh, India was the "final frontier." Steve Waugh was nearing retirement, and a series win in India then would have made him leave a legacy. Legend he was, but leaving behind that series win would have left an "unmatched & impeccable" legacy. Australia had beaten India comprehensively in the first test and was well on their way to conquering the "final frontier."

The India v/s Australia 2nd Test of the 5-match test series began on a crisp day on March 11 at Eden Gardens, one of India's most beautiful cricket venues. What made it more special was the Kolkata crowd—passionate, loud, funny, crazy, and noisy. If you have yet to experience a game at Eden Gardens, put that on your bucket list. Sorry, I digressed. Australia dominated the first half of the first day, belting Indian bowlers, but then had a dramatic collapse in the second half—Harbhajan Singh got an elusive hat-trick (three wickets in three balls) to bring India back in the game. At the end of the day, though, Steve was still there, and boy did he fire on the second day with his tailenders, a fantastic century to take Australia to a dominating first-innings score.

India's first inning was a complete collapse, a colossal failure in batting while having the famous 4 (Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, and Lakshman). It was gut-wrenching to watch, but there was a small silver lining. Lakshman looked in fine form and played a gutsy inning and, unfortunately, was declared out incorrectly. Australia amassed a massive "lead" and put India to "follow-on". 

All seemed lost, considering not many teams have won games "following on". What followed in India's second inning was a roller coaster. India started well but again lost wickets in quick succession. Sachin and Ganguly fell cheaply again, and it looked like India would fold over, but then Lakshman, who had come up to bat at 1-down, was in fine form, and in walked "The Wall," Rahul Dravid. 

A gritty, resolute, watchful batting display followed through the end of day 3. Day 4 was then total mayhem. These two batted like never before for the entire day. The Australian body language said it all - tired, grimacing, their heads and shoulders drooped. As an Indian, watching this fight back to the top against the mighty giants felt good. On the shoulders of that partnership, India amassed a massive lead that put India from a sure loss -> to a sure not-losing position -> to a potential chance to play for a win on day 5. 

Day 5, March 15, 2001—Australia, put into bat, was steamrolled after a gutsy and strong start with their "always play to win" attitude to chase down India. Harbhajan again stood up and foxed the wily Australians with a mix of offspins and "doosra" to record one of the most notable wins. Sachin, the God of Cricket, failed with the bat in both innings but flexed his shoulders that day to get three crucial wickets with his leg/off-breaks. 

It was a test match that broke many records and set new records - made many (Indian) hearts cry with joy and chests swell with pride - made many (Australian) hearts cry of sadness, heads droop, and chests shrink. People from both countries and cricket fans across the world were trying to grasp "what had just happened ?". The nice guy in me felt sad for Australia, thinking what a drubbing they got and how they must be feeling, but that was momentary, as the joy and pride of what our team had done quickly won me over.

I was fortunate to meet the legendary "VVS" on a flight from Bangalore to Pune sometime later. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I sat beside him on that flight for two hours, chatting galore and wishing the flight lasted forever. Life hasn't landed me, and the skies haven't opened up "yet" for me to meet "The Wall," but I hope they will one day. Till then, I opine and relive those magical moments. 

I learned so many things from that game that I use in my professional and personal life, but that's not the point of this story. 

Oh and yes, India went on to beat Australia in the 3rd test. Steve's "final frontier" dream never came true.

Match Summary : (Link for more details for those who want to relive it)

India vs Australia, 2nd Test at Kolkata, March 10, 2001, Australia tour of India

First Innings:

Australia - 445

Steve Waugh (110), Matty Haden (97)

Harbhajan Singh (7 wickets with a hat-trick)

India - 171

VVS (59)

Second Innings

India - 657/7 (following on)

VVS (281), Dravid (180)

Australia - 171

Harbhajan Singh (6 wickets)

Sachin (3 wickets)