“Born in Punjab, Made in Kolkata”: Harbhajan Singh Details the 2001 Eden Gardens Miracle
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recently offered a detailed retrospective on the 2001 Eden Gardens Test against Australia, a match that permanently altered the trajectory of Indian cricket. Speaking about his 13-wicket performance, Singh attributed his career-defining series to the historic venue, stating he was “born in Punjab, but made in Kolkata.”
The foundation for the Kolkata turnaround surfaced during a recent conversation with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden in Goa. Singh questioned Hayden about his aggressive shot selection while batting on 97 during the first session on Day 1. Hayden, feeling confident, attempted to reach his century with an aggressive shot. Instead, Hemang Badani caught him in the deep. This dismissal provided India with a narrow opening in a match where Australia had initially exerted complete dominance.
The Path to Eden Gardens
Singh’s inclusion in the series resulted directly from a shoulder injury to veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble. Entering the series with 28 wickets in the domestic Ranji Trophy season, Singh secured his spot for the first Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Despite a heavy defeat for India, Singh managed a four-wicket haul. Those quick strikes in Mumbai guaranteed his selection for the second match in Kolkata.
Entering the Eden Gardens fixture, Singh approached the match focused purely on survival. The Day 1 pitch offered excellent conditions for batting, and Australia capitalized early. Following Hayden’s dismissal, Singh secured his second breakthrough by catching Mark Waugh off a cut shot. However, the post-tea session triggered a historic sequence.
The Historic Hat-Trick
Ricky Ponting, whom Singh dismissed in Mumbai, arrived at the crease lacking confidence. Attacking the stumps, Singh delivered a skidding ball that trapped Ponting leg before wicket (LBW). Adam Gilchrist followed. Knowing Gilchrist’s proficiency with the sweep shot, Singh restricted the flight, producing another skidding delivery that resulted in a second LBW.
On the hat-trick delivery, Singh targeted a full length against Shane Warne, hoping for another LBW if the batsman missed. Warne executed a powerful flick, but Sadagopan Ramesh positioned at forward short-leg completed a sensational catch with his extended right hand. This sequence reduced Australia from 252 for 4 to 252 for 6.
| Player | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Match Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbhajan Singh | 7/123 | 6/73 | 13/196 |
| VVS Laxman | 59 | 281 | 340 Runs |
| Rahul Dravid | 25 | 180 | 205 Runs |
Australian Resistance and Indian Superstitions
Despite the hat-trick, Australian captain Steve Waugh built a massive partnership with Jason Gillespie, scoring 110 runs—his only century in India. Australia posted an imposing first-innings total of 445. In response, India struggled, managing only 171 runs. VVS Laxman was the lone standout, scoring 59 from the No. 6 position. Following this effort, head coach John Wright proposed promoting Laxman up the order for the second innings after India was asked to follow-on.
Throughout Day 4, Laxman and Rahul Dravid orchestrated an unprecedented 376-run partnership. Inside the Indian dressing room, severe superstition took hold. Players were strictly prohibited from changing their seats as the duo batted through the entire day. The focus and discipline from the squad combined to force a Day 5 result.
A Dramatic Final Day
Heading into the final day, the Indian camp debated declaration timing. Upon taking the field before lunch, the team sensed a rare victory. Singh claimed Steve Waugh for a second time, caught at leg-slip by Badani, a dismissal Singh regards as his favorite of the second innings. While Sachin Tendulkar contributed significantly with three quick wickets, Jason Gillespie anchored the lower order.
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly applied intense pressure with close-in fielders. After Gillespie fell, Glenn McGrath was the final target. Singh delivered a ball that struck McGrath on the pad while he offered no shot. With no Decision Review System (DRS) available in 2001, umpire SK Bansal awarded the LBW. Singh firmly supports the decision, confirming it was visibly out to the naked eye. Securing 13 wickets in the match, Singh cemented a performance recorded officially by ESPN Cricinfo that reshaped international cricket history.