It was the test that changed India’s approach to cricket. It’s the game that had numerous records in it. It was the 2nd Test of Border-Gavaskar trophy, India had lost the 1st test at Mumbai and were up against a tough and probably the best ever Australia team with a low esteem. Every cricket follower was expecting a white wash but what happened the next was unbelievable. India won the test and how!
On the first day, inspite of a good start, Australian batting order collapsed. Ponting, Gilchrist and Shane Warne contributed to make Harbhajan the first Indian bowler to take a test hat-trick. The second day Steve Waugh had his first test hundred in Indian soil, India had to follow on and then when India’s innings was declared, the team were at 657-7, VVS Laxman scored 281.India went on to win the match and even the next one, winning the Border-Gavaskar trophy for 2-1.
But which was more interesting were the on field incidents and some sportingly verbal exchanges between the skippers of both the teams. And had Ganguly not opened up in a recent interview, these fun facts would have remained between them only.
The former Indian skipper confessed that after fifth day dismissal, he had some moments that can not be shared publicly. He added that Indian team was full of passion at that time and that this test changed how India looked at cricket. “We went on to win after this, we went to Zimbabwe and won the series there,” Ganguly reminded.
But there was something about sledging Steve Waugh that he actually shared. It was how accurate he was in predicting how he would make the then Aussie skipper take a walk back to dressing room. Wanna know what Dadagiri Dada did? Here you go-
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