2) Sourav Ganguly’s decision to send VVS Laxman at No. 3 against Australia in 2001:
Under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy, India had won the first Test match at Eden Gardens against Australia in 2001. To attain victory, Ganguly took the risky decision to promote VVS Laxman to top order, who is the middle-order batsman.
At that time, it was Australia’s era when they were called unbeatable. They scored a mammoth total of 425 runs against the host.
In reply, the Indian team folded for 171 runs in first innings, after which Australia enforced a follow-on. And then captain Ganguly sent VVS Laxman at no.3 who went on to score 281 runs while Rahul Dravid added 180 runs. Their contribution led the team to score a total of 657 runs.
Besides, Harbhajan Singh also created history as he picked a maiden hat-trick and helped India to a historic win.