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[Watch] When Ajit Agarkar Took 6 For 41 To Script India's Historic Adelaide Test Win 

image-lq6bzytzAjit Agarkar bowled a memorable spell in Adelaide [X.com]

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar's playing days as an Indian cricketer are remembered for two famous on-field feats. One was his memorable debut Test century with the bat at the iconic Lord's against England in 2002, and the other was an epic match-winning burst in the second innings of India's historic Adelaide 2003 Test triumph. 

On December 15, two decades back, the former right-arm pacer produced the second of the two remarkable achievements of his career and helped India's push to bag a landmark victory on Australian shores. Agarkar returned with an innings haul of 6 for 41 on Day 4 of the high-scoring face-off. 

The Mumbaikar completely transformed the Test match with his late burst in the second innings and tilted the scales in India's favour when it seemed the game was destined to be a draw. 

Having conceded a 33-run lead on a flat batting surface despite Rahul Dravid's marathon double century, India needed a miracle to claw their way back into the contest, and Agarkar provided it. 


When Agarkar Took 6 For 41 in Adelaide 

On a pitch which offered him negligible lateral movement, Agarkar ran in like a man possessed and delivered a high-quality spell, which disrupted the Aussies, who were at full strength in the batting department and eyeing a third-innings lead over 330-350. 

Batting aggressively to take the Test match forward, the Aussies found Agarkar's late swing with the new ball and his reverse swing via the old nut a challenge too stiff to handle. They lost a flurry of untimely wickets to the Indian enforcer. 

When they could've stretched their lead beyond the Indian reach, Agarkar ensured the Aussies collapsed to 196 all out, and the target of 230 was within India's grasp. Later on, Dravid backed his majestic first-innings 233 with an unbeaten 72 of real class on Day 5 to push India past the chasing stutters and ultimately reach the winning post at six wickets down. 

Dravid was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for producing one of the most outstanding performances by an Indian batter in Test cricket. But the legend would be first to recognise the role played by Agarkar in the memorable win, as he gave India a sniff and led them to their first Test triumph Down Under in 22 years.