The title of VVS Laxman autobiography “281 And Beyond” is based on the 281 runs which Laxman scored against Australia in the famous Eden Gardens Test in 2001. India were given a follow-on by Australia in the Test but Laxman and Dravid put together a record 376-run partnership to take the hosts to victory. India went on to win the series 2-1 under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. But now the former India captain has revealed that the innings was instrumental in kickstarting Ganguly’s career as captain.
Ganguly was speaking at the Kolkata release Laxman’s autobiography and said the book should be named, “281 And Beyond, and saved Sourav Ganguly’s career.”
“The title of the book is not right. It should have been 281 and beyond, and saved Sourav Ganguly’s career,” the former Indian skipper said in his opening address along with pace ace Zaheer Khan by his side.
“If he had not scored 281, we would have lost the game,” Ganguly said.
India was staring at a big loss in the Test after they were bowled out for 171 in their first innings. They were 274 runs behind the Australian total and were asked to follow on by Steve Waugh. But then Laxman and Dravid went on stitch a record-breaking partnership.
“After tea on the last day, I started to believe we could win the Test,” Laxman said when quizzed when did he start sniffing that an improbable win was on the cards.
