Sachin Tendulkar Reflects on India's Legendary 2001 Eden Gardens Test Triumph
Twenty-five years after India orchestrated one of Test cricket's most remarkable comebacks at the Eden Gardens in 2001, batting icon Sachin Tendulkar revisits the drama of that unforgettable match against Australia. In an exclusive interview, the cricket legend recalls the anticipation surrounding Steve Waugh's seemingly unbeatable team, the renewed belief in the dressing room after a defeat in Mumbai, and the sheer magic of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's monumental partnership. Tendulkar also shares insights into his own unexpected bowling spell on the final day, where his innovative "out-of-the-box" deliveries played a pivotal role in dismantling Australia's resistance.
The Buildup and Belief Before the Series
There was immense excitement before that series, wasn't there? The Australians arrived in India having secured 15 consecutive Test victories.
Yes, there was significant buzz before Australia's tour, as they had dominated every opponent convincingly. I was participating in the Duleep Trophy in Pune for West Zone against East Zone. When questioned by the media about our chances against Australia, I confidently affirmed we could win. My reasoning was straightforward: they had rarely faced intense pressure situations. I believed that if we could apply sustained pressure, it would be intriguing to observe their response.
Preparation and the Initial Setback in Mumbai
Did you alter your preparation for the series?
Nothing specific changed in my routine. I maintained normalcy because I was in good form, having scored runs in the Duleep Trophy. My mindset was positive. In fact, during the first Test at Wankhede Stadium, I contributed with scores of 76 and 67.
Despite your efforts in Mumbai, the team suffered a loss within three days. What was the atmosphere like as you headed to Kolkata?
When we traveled to Kolkata, the squad was resolute about staging a comeback. Falling behind in a three-match series is always disheartening. We were fully prepared and determined to win that Test, aiming to level the series in Chennai and pin Australia down there. However, our first innings performance was subpar, though I recall VVS Laxman's valuable 59 runs.
The Iconic Laxman-Dravid Partnership
Describe watching that legendary Laxman-Dravid partnership from the dressing room, particularly on Day Four.
Due to VVS's impressive batting in the first innings, coach John Wright, captain Sourav Ganguly, and a few senior players decided he would bat at number three in the second innings. VVS batted magnificently, as did Rahul. Day Four was extraordinary for us. The transformation from our morning position to where we stood by evening was dramatic. The thought process shifted, and excitement filled the air. We realized that if we could accelerate scoring on Day Five morning and declare, Australia's aggressive approach would play into our hands, which is precisely what unfolded.
What made that partnership so exceptional?
It's easy to play a flashy innings and return, but at Eden Gardens, timing was crucial. Scoring quickly while giving Australia ample time might not have sufficed. Beyond building a substantial total, occupying the crease was vital. They batted for an extended period, which demanded not just physical stamina but immense mental endurance to maintain concentration without offering chances. Their batting was simply amazing, pushing us to a point where victory became inevitable. I had earlier mentioned wanting to see Australia under pressure, and Rahul, VVS, and Harbhajan Singh collectively positioned India favorably by Day Five, allowing us to capitalize.
Tendulkar's Surprise Bowling Spell on Day Five
Walk us through the final session on Day Five. Sourav Ganguly brought you on to bowl. Was it merely for a change of ends? Watching replays, did he indicate 'just one over'? You ended up bowling 11 overs and claiming three critical wickets.
Harbhajan was bowling superbly, but we struggled to take wickets for a stretch. When you enforce a follow-on with just over two sessions left, expecting easy dismissals is unrealistic. If a partnership developed, it threatened our chances. We needed wickets at regular intervals. I remember Sourav suggesting I bowl from a particular end. While videos show us conversing, it wasn't about a single over. I bowled frequently in Test cricket then and often provided breakthroughs. Starting from the pavilion end, I secured two crucial wickets.
You typically bowled leg-spin to right-handers and off-spin to left-handers, especially in limited-overs cricket. Yet, you dismissed Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, two aggressive lefties, with full-pitched leg-spinners. What was the strategy?
Yes, those two players were instrumental in Australia's first Test win, having built a massive partnership with centuries. I managed to trap them LBW as they attempted sweeps and missed.
That googly to Shane Warne. If anyone could read it, a champion leg-spinner like him would. But you disguised it perfectly. When did you decide to bowl a googly?
I've always believed that as a part-time bowler, I should experiment and avoid predictability. Doing out-of-the-box things to catch batters off guard is key. Warne's wicket was a prized one for me. I doubt he picked it or anticipated such turn from my googly. Harbhajan was bowling incredibly, and we just needed support. Though things weren't initially favorable, those three wickets helped us regain momentum and clinch the victory.
The Lasting Impact on Indian Cricket
How did the Eden Gardens victory influence Indian cricket?
Our confidence soared dramatically. Heading to Chennai, though it was a fresh match, we felt we held the upper hand, believing 70% of the series was ours. Despite Matthew Hayden's exceptional form, we posted a strong first-innings total and applied pressure again, largely thanks to Harbhajan's wickets. Rahul and I both scored runs, with me hitting a century, and we won the series. Victories like Eden Gardens make a profound difference—there's no substitute for winning; it energizes like a tonic. These memories endure forever and inspire younger generations watching on television.
Where does the Eden win rank among the many great victories in your career?
Among the top victories. Any discussion of iconic wins worldwide invariably includes the Eden Gardens Test of 2001.
