The opposite day I used to be having a chat with Matthew Hayden in Goa. I requested him, “Why did you play that shot within the first innings at Eden Gardens?” It was within the second session on Day 1, he was batting on 97, and completely dominating us. Haydos mentioned he was feeling assured and wished to succeed in his century with an enormous shot — however as luck would have it, he acquired caught within the deep by Hemang Badani. That was our first little window of alternative in that historic Check.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Let’s return to what occurred earlier than that. With Anil Kumble out injured, I used to be chosen for the primary Check in Mumbai as a result of I had 28 wickets within the Ranji Trophy that season. At Wankhede, regardless that we misplaced fairly badly, I acquired 4 wickets. If I hadn’t acquired these wickets — three in fast succession — I may not have performed on the Eden.

These days, each sport was a battle for survival for me and I got here to Eden Gardens not very upbeat however focussed. It was a good looking batting wicket on Day 1 and Australia began from the place that they had left off in Mumbai — until we acquired Hayden. Then I had Mark Waugh caught when he tried a minimize.What occurred submit tea modified my life perpetually. Ricky Ponting, whom I had dismissed in Mumbai too, got here in, in all probability just a little in need of confidence. I knew I needed to assault the stumps. He went again to my supply that skidded and acquired trapped in entrance. Subsequent in was Adam Gilchrist and I wouldn’t give him flight, as a result of he was an excellent sweeper. This one additionally skidded in and he was leg-before.After which arrived the magic second. My goal was to maintain it full to Shane Warne in order that if he missed, I would get the leg-before. However the supply was just a little too full and he performed a full-blooded flick. I will likely be perpetually indebted to what Sadagopan Ramesh did at ahead short-leg. I all the time say that my hat-trick belongs as a lot to me because it does to Ramesh for that catch. He simply prolonged his proper hand and plucked it out of skinny air.From 252-4, the Aussies have been now 252-6 and all of the sudden, we had hope. However Steve Waugh stood in the best way. That Australian crew simply didn’t quit and Steve scored an excellent century — his just one in India. He batted fantastically with Jason Gillespie to get 445.After we batted, it appeared that it was a distinct pitch. Wickets stored falling as did the temper within the dressing-room as a collection loss loomed. Laxman had scored 59 within the first innings batting at No. 6 and coach John Wright steered that he ought to go up within the second.I needn’t elaborate what occurred by Day 4. I can inform you what was taking place within the dressing-room. None of us have been allowed to alter our seats as VVS and Rahul Dravid had that unbelievable partnership. By the top of day, a few of us have been joking that it was our will-power and superstition that helped the 2 champions.The fifth day morning was just a little fuzzy, as a junior I used to be not a part of the decision-making course of. I might perceive that there was a number of dilemma over declaration. After we took the sector earlier than lunch, we knew we had an opportunity.I acquired Steve once more, caught at legslip by Hemang Badani, which stays my favorite dismissal of the second innings. Sachin Tendulkar acquired these three wickets with some good bowling, however Jason Gillespie was nonetheless standing.Dada had fielders throughout the bat and we stored attacking. Jason succumbed after which Glenn McGrath. Many ask me whether or not McGrath was out? Did it hit him just a little too far exterior the off-stump?There was no DRS, no Hawk-eye, it was all what appeared with the bare eye. For me that was out the second it hit his pad as he hadn’t provided a shot, and I’m completely happy that umpire SK Bansal thought on comparable strains. These 13 wickets in that Check match modified my life perpetually. I nonetheless keep, I used to be born in Punjab, however made in Kolkata.(Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh spoke to Dwaipayan Datta)