Great win, says former India captain Sourav Ganguly
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India beat Australia in the Dharamsala Test to clinch the four-match series 2-1 and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Image Source: BCCI[/caption]Internet Desk: The series win at Dharamsala brought back memories of that summer in 2001 when Sourav Ganguly led India stopped the Australian juggernaut. The former India captain lauded Virat and his team for a superlative victory over Australia in the Dharamsala Test to clinch the four-match series 2-1 and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ganguly was quoted speaking to India Today, "It's a great win. It has been a great summer but I'm not surprised. India in India has always been a different kettle of fish. Tough...very hard to be beaten. That side versus Australia in 2001, they were probably the best cricketing side I've seen in my cricketing career...even they couldn't manage to beat India. So, it's not easy.”
The left hander also added, "Even in this series, they were 1-0 down, they came back to win this series. It will always remain a tough part of the world for any team away from the sub-continent to come and capture."
Mumbai leg spinner who made his debut in that last test in Chennai congratulated Virat and his team for their series winning effort. According to Bahutule, “Anil (Kumble) was not part of that series due to his injury. Dada (Sourav) adopted a strange strategy to get the Aussies flat footed. He paired Harbhajan with a new spinner for every test match in that series. I got an opportunity to play that final test match in Chennai. Apart from Hayden, Steve Waugh and Gilchrist none of the Australian batsmen were comfortable against spin.”
Bahutule, who is currently the coach of Bengal added, “The test match at Chepauk was special. I got the wickets of both Mark Waugh and Justin Langer in both innings. Bhajji was in tremendous form as he turned out to be nemesis for the Australian batsmen in the series. The series win today by Virat and his boys brought back memories of that series win as well.”
Another cricketer made an extremely useful contribution in that Chennai test. Mumbai wicket-keeper Sameer Dighe scored a few crucial runs with Harbhajan Singh to guide India home. According to Dighe, “I thought about quitting cricket in 1999 as I was not getting a chance. I made my debut in 1999 under Sachin. Nayan Mongia was the regular wicket keeper during the 2001 series. After playing in Mumbai and Kolkata, he was dropped from the team due to some issues. Both Sachin and Sourav wanted me in the side. I am grateful to almighty that I could repose the faith they had over me as I made a useful contribution with the bat. Chasing 155 runs, we were in a spot by losing 8 wickets. I was under tremendous pressure as I walked in to bat. But Bhajji (Harbhajan) gave me the confidence. The Australians were constantly sledging at me but I tried to keep cool. I leapt in joy as Bhajji guided Mcgrath for two runs. Even today when we meet with each other, we talk about that series. It was such a massive win for us.”
Orissa opener Shib Sundar Das was also nostalgic to see KL Rahul scoring the winning run. Das scored a useful 84 runs in the first inning at Chennai and stitched an opening partnership of 123 runs with Sadagopan Ramesh.
“Both the wins were special and will be remembered for a long time. As like the 2001 series, all the players performed in this series as well and left their mark.”
Talking about the 2001 series, “Every moment in that series is precious. The partnership between Laxman and Dravid at Eden Gardens has become folklore. But unfortunately both me and Ramesh did not give a good start in both the tests at Eden and Wankhede. We were under some sort of pressure going into the Chennai test. But by God’s grace we put up 123 runs for the opening wicket which laid the platform for a big first innings total. Every one played their part in that series. I feel happy when I look back at the 84 runs I scored at Chepauk.”
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