5 highest Indian partnerships in an overseas Test (outside Asia)

#2 Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman – 303 (Adelaide - 2003)

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman dragged India back into the game after being down and out at 85/4.

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman certainly loved playing against Australia. Almost every time India were in trouble against the Aussies, it was invariably either Laxman or Dravid (or both) who bailed India out of trouble.

In 2003, India began their Australian tour with a draw in Brisbane. However, Australia found themselves in command when India were reeling at 85/4 in pursuit of Australia’s first innings total of 556.

However, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman who had tormented the Aussies in their last series (at Eden Gardens in 2001) were at it once again. The only difference was that this time Rahul Dravid was the aggressor and VVS Laxman played second fiddle and this was the first innings of the game.

The duo dominated the Australian bowling attack. Their 303-run partnership at that time was the best for India outside Asia (for any wicket). Their partnership turned the game on its head as it helped India reach 523 in their first innings and reduce the deficit to just 33.

Dravid scored a magnificent 233 and Laxman made 148. Both of them first saw off testing spells from the Aussie bowlers and then started scoring freely once they were set.

On the back of Ajit Agarkar’s 6/42 and Dravid’s unbeaten 72, India beat Australia in Australia for the first time in 22 years. Hence, when we look back it was the Dravid-Laxman partnership that set-up the game for India.