5 highest partnerships for India in Tests

#3 376 – VVS Laxman & Rahul Dravid vs Australia at Kolkata, 2001

The iconic stand between Laxman and Dravid is etched in the memory of every cricket fan

Perhaps the greatest ever Test match involving India witnessed one of the finest partnerships in the history of world cricket. An epic alliance between two legendary Indian batsmen, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, thwarted the mighty Australians to give their country a victory to savour for years to come.

The writing was on the wall for the Indians as they followed on after being dismissed for 171 in their 1^st innings while responding to Australia’s 445. They were looking much better in their 2^nd innings but when skipper Sourav Ganguly fell for 48 with India on 232 for 4, there was a lot to worry about.

As an under-fire Dravid walked in to join Laxman, who had been promoted to the former's No. 3 position, at the crease, no one had a hint of the magic that was about to transpire at the Eden Gardens. In the next 104 overs, the duo removed every obstacle out of their way and staged a historic comeback for India in the Test.

By the time VVS Laxman was out for 281, the then highest Test score by an Indian, he and Rahul Dravid had put on a record 376 runs for the 5^th wicket. The partnership turned out to be the platform for an unbelievable 171-run victory for India in the Test and tilted the momentum of the series in India’s favour.