India Can Do Something Similar Like The 2001 Kolkata Test, Says Inzamam-ul-Haq

Aug 28, 2021 at 1:02 PM

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India Can Do Something Similar Like The 2001 Kolkata Test, Says Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam-ul-Haq, former Pakistan captain praised India’s fightback on Day 3 that saw them only lose two wickets and close in on a mammoth first-innings lead. The fifties from Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara have instilled hope into India’s chances as the 3rd Test heads into its final two days.

After wrapping up proceedings with the ball on Day 3, India stared at a 354-run deficit. The visitors lost KL Rahul right at the end of the first session but managed to escape unscathed in the second session of the day. Despite losing Rohit Sharma, the pair of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli have kept India afloat with their unbeaten stand for the third wicket.

Inzamam-ul-Haq JEWEL SAMAD / AFP
Inzamam-ul-Haq JEWEL SAMAD / AFP

Inzamam-ul-Haq notes how India was initially on the backfoot just like they were in the 2001 Test in Kolkata against Australia. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid batted an entire day to send India from a follow-on deficit to a match-winning lead.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Inzamam said: “I remember the India vs Australia Test, where Laxman had scored 281 and Dravid scored 180, India can do something similar now. The way they are playing, they lost only two wickets in the entire day, this is a huge deal under such pressure”

India won the match by 171 runs after being forced to follow on, only the third time this has happened since Test cricket began in 1877. The Australian team, rated as the best in the world, had won 16 Tests in a row, a Test cricket record, including the previous Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai by 10 wickets.

VVS Laxman (left) returns to the pavilion with Rahul Dravid at the end of the fourth day of the second Test match between India and Australia at Eden Gardens in Calcutta © Getty Images
VVS Laxman (left) returns to the pavilion with Rahul Dravid at the end of the fourth day of the second Test match between India and Australia at Eden Gardens in Calcutta © Getty Images

The match is remembered for VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid’s batting performance, Harbhajan Singh’s hattrick and last day wicket-taking, Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket-taking spell on the final day, and Sourav Ganguly’s aggressive brand of captaincy in deciding to go for the improbable victory and not just a draw.

After India trailed by more than 250 runs in the first innings, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the entirety of day four to build up a lead of 384. In the process, VVS Laxman also posted what was, at that time, the highest individual score by an Indian. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) both departed to standing ovations from the capacity Eden Gardens crowd. The two eventually added 376 in that game-changing stand.

Inzamam-ul-Haq: Rohit Sharma Should Have Stayed Longer

Coming into England, Rohit Sharma’s ability to open the batting in England’s challenging conditions was questioned, given his natural style of play. While he showed a glimpse of that at the World Test Championship final, he has unfurled into a classic red ball batsman on the ongoing tour.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: Twitter

Inzamam-ul-Haq added: “India have made a good comeback. India’s batting unit is experienced, and they showed their experience as well. Rohit Sharma, who was set at 59, should have stayed longer according to me. He had the ability, the oitch was in favour and he had moved past the initial tough stage.”

India is still 139 runs behind England with Cheteshwar Pujara (91*) nearing a century while Virat Kohli (45) keeps him company at the other end.

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