- Series Name: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2001
- Teams: India vs Australia
- Dates: February 27 – March 22, 2001
- Number of Tests: 3
- Series Result: India won 2-1
Highest Run Scorers of the Series
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | 3 | 549 | 109.80 | 203 | 2 | 2 |
| VVS Laxman | India | 3 | 503 | 83.83 | 281 | 1 | 2 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 3 | 304 | 50.66 | 126 | 1 | 1 |
Highest Wicket Takers of the Series
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | 5-Wicket Hauls |
| Harbhajan Singh | India | 3 | 32 | 17.03 | 8/84 | 3 |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 3 | 17 | 23.29 | 4/18 | 0 |
| Jason Gillespie | Australia | 3 | 13 | 30.30 | 4/29 | 0 |
Hidden Facts and Interesting Records
- The Eden Gardens Miracle: India became only the third team in Test history to win a match after being forced to follow on. VVS Laxman’s 281 and Rahul Dravid’s 180 in the second innings at Eden Gardens are among the greatest partnerships in cricket history.
- Harbhajan Singh’s Hat-trick: Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in Test cricket during the Kolkata Test, dismissing Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne.
- Matthew Hayden’s Dominance: Despite Australia’s series loss, Matthew Hayden’s remarkable 549 runs in three Tests is considered one of the best performances by a visiting batsman in India.
- VVS Laxman’s Record-Breaking Knock: Laxman’s 281 in Kolkata was the highest score by an Indian at that time, breaking the previous record held by Sunil Gavaskar.
- Historic Win in Chennai: India clinched the series in Chennai in a nail-biting finish, winning by just 2 wickets in the final Test. This match is often remembered for Harbhajan Singh’s 15-wicket haul in the game.
- Steve Waugh’s Final Frontier: Australian captain Steve Waugh referred to India as the “Final Frontier” for his team, as Australia was aiming to win its first Test series in India since 1969. Despite a strong start, Waugh’s team fell short, losing the series 2-1.
- The Start of a New Rivalry: This series is widely regarded as the beginning of one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket. The intense competition between India and Australia in this series set the tone for many future encounters.
Conclusion
The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is often hailed as one of the greatest Test series in cricket history. It was a series where individual brilliance, team resilience, and thrilling cricket combined to produce an unforgettable contest. The heroics of VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, and Harbhajan Singh, along with Australia’s valiant efforts, made this series a defining moment in cricket. The 2-1 victory for India not only broke Australia’s winning streak but also established India as a formidable team at home.
Sources
- ESPNcricinfo
- Wisden Almanack
- The Hindu
- Image Source: hscicdn.com
