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Laxman And Dravid Set The Blueprint In 2001; KL Rahul And Gill Could Be The Sequel

Kaushik Kashyap

Laxman-Dravid and KL Rahul-Shubman Gill. [Source - AP, @Johns/x.com]Laxman-Dravid and KL Rahul-Shubman Gill. [Source - AP, @Johns/x.com]

In March 2001 at Eden Gardens, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid etched their names in cricketing folklore with a day-long stand that turned a follow-on into a famous Indian win against Australia. Over two decades later, a similar fightback seems to be unfolding in Manchester, where KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are battling through adversity to script a possible miracle on Day 5.

The Day Eden Roared as Laxman and Dravid Stood Unbroken against Australia

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. [Source - @Johns/x.com]VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. [Source - @Johns/x.com]

Kolkata 2001, India were bowled out cheaply in their first innings, managing just 171 in reply to Australia’s 445 and were asked to follow on. By stumps on Day 3, India were 254/4 in their second innings, still trailing by 20. VVS Laxman was unbeaten on 109 and Rahul Dravid on 7.

What followed on Day 4 became legendary. Laxman and Dravid batted the entire day without losing their wickets. Their 335-run unbeaten stand at the end of Day 4 not only kept Australia at bay but began shifting the tide. With poise and discipline, the duo played out one of the most dominant bowling attacks of that era into complete submission.

Laxman was graceful yet brutal, breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the highest Test score by an Indian, ending the day on 275. Dravid, ever resilient, registered his first century against Australia. Both players fought cramps and fatigue, but never lost concentration. By the end of Day 4, India had reached a stunning 589/4.

India declared on Day 5 at 657/7, built around the epic 376-run stand between Laxman, who scored a historic 281, and Dravid, who made 180. They set Australia a target of 384. Harbhajan Singh’s 6/73 triggered a collapse, bowling Australia out for 212 and ending their 16-match winning streak with a 171-run defeat.

Can Rahul and Gill Repeat the Dravid-Laxman Miracle?

Now in Manchester, echoes of Eden are growing. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill joined hands with India reeling at 0/2 at the stroke of Day 4 Lunch and added an unbeaten 174-run partnership by stumps. Rahul stood firm on 87, Gill on 78, as they tackled the tricky conditions with solid defense and calm temperament.

Like Dravid and Laxman once did, KL and Gill have given India hope. England were eyeing a series win before this defiant stand halted their charge. With India still 137 behind, Day 5 promises a massive test. A similar effort could keep India alive and maybe deliver another timeless comeback.