VVS Laxman – 281 vs Australia at Kolkata in March 2001
Again we took the two great knocks of the same Test innings and it was the historic Test match which the Indian team will never forget. After Australia won the toss and decided to bat first, they scored 445 runs in their first innings, despite the Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick. India were really under pressure after they were all out on 171 runs in their first innings.
Later, in the following-on innings, VVS Laxman came to bat at no.3 position and batted patiently for the 631 minutes. In that marathon batting, Laxman scored 281 runs off 452 balls (44 fours), which was then the highest individual score in a Test innings by an Indian batsman.
Rahul Dravid – 180 vs Australia at Kolkata in March 2001
Another right-handed batsman Rahul Dravid joined Laxman at the crease when India were battling on 232/4 in that following-on innings. Laxman and Dravid had the marathon fifth-wicket partnership of 376 runs.
Dravid maintained his familiar patience batting and stayed in the crease for 446 minutes. Before getting run-out, Dravid scored 180 runs off 353 balls (20 fours). After scoring 657/7, the Indian captain Sourav Ganguly declared the innings.
Chasing down the 384 runs target, the Australian team even failed to secure a draw as they were bowled out for just 212 runs in the fourth innings. India won that historic Test by 171 runs.