Ponting recalls historical India v Australia 2001 series

The 2001 Border-Gavaskar trophy between India and Australia is easily one of the best memories in Indian cricket. After going down 0-1 in the three-Test series, the hosts - led by Sourav Ganguly - stormed back with two consecutive victories.

 

Ricky Ponting, who was a part of the losing Australian side, has claimed that series to be "one of the most remarkable series that I have ever played in."

 

The 41-year-old walked down memory lane and spoke about the historic 2001 series, saying, "The 2001 series was probably the most remarkable Test series I have played in. We lost the series, but the level of cricket, the intensity and the audience in attendance right through the series was unbelievable."

 

India put in poor performances in both the batting and bowling departments, which led to a thumping 10-wicket loss in the first Test at Mumbai. However, the turning point in the series came at the iconic Eden Gardens in the second Test.

 

 

Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer scored a half century each. An additional century from skipper Steve Waugh helped Australia post a competitive total of 445. Glenn McGrath led their bowling attack. He ensured the visitors bagged a lead of 270 and enforced a follow-on.

 

The Australians would go on to witness a historic chapter in Indian cricket.

 

The second Test is famous for VVS Laxman's 280, his 376-run stand with Rahul Dravid for the 5th wicket and Harbhajan Singh's hat-trick and overall 13 wickets.

 

India declared at a mammoth 657 for 7 and handed Australia a target of 384. Eventually, Waugh and Co fell short of 171 runs and India squared the series at 1-1.

 

 

The decider of the series was played in Chennai and India kept their nerves and won by two wickets, triumphing 2-1 in the series.

 

"All finishing off...going to Kolkata... when you ask Harsha Bhogale about his most memorable Test match, pretty sure the Kolkata Test will be one right at the top. (VVS) Laxman 280, (Rahul) Dravid 180, after being enforced follow on, India declared a few hundreds in the front and just had over a session to bowl us out, and they did.

 

"It was not our proudest moment, but certainly one of Indian cricket's proudest moment. Then went on to the third Test (in Chennai), that ended up with India hanging on, to win the series. Remarkable series," the 168-Test veteran told PTI.