Top 5 partnerships involving the Fab Four

#3 303 - Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman vs Australia at Adelaide, 2003

Dravid and Laxman's partnership was a key factor in India's memorable win at Adelaide

It was the second Test of the 2003-04 Border Gavaskar trophy at Adelaide. Australia put on a mammoth total of 556 on board thanks to Ricky Ponting’s brilliant 242. In reply, India got off to a good start thanks to openers Akash Chopra and Virender Sehwag who put an opening stand of 66. However, after the departure of both openers, India began to lose wickets in quick succession as the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly added a combined three runs.

India were struggling at 85/4 when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were on the crease. The reliable middle-order duo began handling the Aussie bowlers in their own manner- with calm, composure and poise. Both players reached their respective centuries and added 303 runs for the 5th wicket.

This was India’s highest Test partnership in Australia, scoring 79 runs more than the previous record of 224 set by Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath at Sydney in 1986. The partnership was broken when Laxman was dismissed for 148. Dravid went on to score 233 and India put up 523 in their first innings.

Thanks to some brilliant bowling by Ajit Agarkar and a 72 from Dravid in the second innings, India won the match by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series.