In 2001, India and Australia played an unforgettable match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. India broke Australia’s 16-match win streak, a world-record stat. Besides that, India became the third nation in Test cricket history to secure a victory after being forced to follow-on.

Under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, India made history at the Eden Gardens. Australia was led by Steve Waugh in the memorable clash of titans. Australian opener Adam Gilchrist was famously dismissed for a golden duck in both innings. This was marked as his one and only “king pair” in Test cricket.

To achieve a monumental feat after following on, VVS Laxman scored 281 runs, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s 236-run record. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stood tall and held a partnership of 376 runs despite fatigue and cramps. Harbhajan Singh secured a hat-trick in the match after he dismissed Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Shane Warne in the first innings.

India made history exactly 25 years ago, and it is still a fresh memory among all cricket fans all over the world. Interestingly, there have been only three instances where teams won after following on in Test cricket, with Australia ending up on the losing side on two more occasions.

From Sydney to Wellington: Follow on triumphs

In the 1894 Sydney Test, England became the first team to win the match after being forced to follow on. Andrew Stoddart captained England, and Jack Blackham led Australia. Despite Syd Gregory scoring a double century and George Giffen adding 202 runs and taking 8 wickets across two innings, the Aussies lost the match by 10 runs.

For England, Tom Richardson took a five-fer in the first innings and Bobby Peel claimed six in the second. Opener Albert Ward emerged as the hero as he scored 75 and 117 to lead England to a famous first-ever victory after a follow on.

Almost 90 years later, in 1981, England and Australia came face-to-face with the follow on once again, this time in Leeds. This encounter is arguably the most famous match in Ashes history, also known as “Botham’s Test”. Mike Brearley captained England while Kim Hughes guided Australia. The star of the match was famously England’s former captain Ian Botham. He played a legendary innings, scoring 50 and 149 runs and also taking 7 wickets in two innings to help the Lions beat Australia by 18 runs.

Meanwhile, almost two decades after India's famous win at Kolkata in 2001, New Zealand beat England, marking the fourth followon victory in the history of Test cricket in 2023. Tim Southee captained New Zealand while Ben Stokes captained England. England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root scored 186 and 153, respectively. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson scored 132 in the 2nd innings. The end came at the hands of Neil Wagner, who took four wickets and gave the Kiwis a thrilling 1-run victory.

These matches are recorded in the history books of world cricket and will never be forgotten by cricket lovers. All the matches were hard -foughtbetween both teams, but in the end, only one team ccould win. India has made itself a great cricketing nation since their follow on triumph at Eden Gardens. While celebrating the 25 years of the famous India vs Australia 2001 Kolkata Test, it will always be great to enjoy all the success that is yet to come.