Reflecting on that extraordinary win, then India captain Sourav Ganguly said, \u201cIt was destiny. It was a fairytale. I don\u2019t have a recipe for that. I didn\u2019t do that. It just happened.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Among the architects of that victory was Harbhajan Singh, who played a pivotal role with the ball during the match. Speaking about his connection with the venue, he said, \u201cI came to this world due to my parents, but I don\u2019t know what I would be without Eden Gardens.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also recalled how he got the opportunity to play that Test. \u201cWhenever I come here, those memories come to mind. Of course, Anil Kumble Bhai got injured. John Wright wanted someone who could take wickets. They called everyone to bowl in the nets and thought I was the best of the lot. Ganguly insisted on having me. I was taking wickets in domestic cricket.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking back at the final day of the match, Harbhajan added, \u201cI think on that fifth day we had the total on the board. Knowing Australia, they would come hard at us. When to declare and when not to declare was the question in the dressing room. In the end, around 74 to 76 overs were enough. Those superb catches by Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sundar Das and S Ramesh. That Test gave us belief.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Venkatesh Prasad, who was also part of that memorable game, reflected on a moment that still lingers in his mind. \u201cI dropped a catch. I lost it because the crowd was behind me. In the tea session, it was hell for me. I was feeling rotten. It kept playing on TV. These two guys, commentators Ravi Shastri and Ian Chappell, kept talking about it. You don\u2019t want to be near the coach, John Wright. John said, \u2018You\u2019ve got to take those catches, man.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking back at the final day of the match, Harbhajan added, \u201cI think on that fifth day we had the total on the board. Knowing Australia, they would come hard at us. When to declare and when not to declare was the question in the dressing room. In the end, around 74 to 76 overs were enough. Those superb catches by Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sundar Das and S Ramesh. That Test gave us belief.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Harbhajan also praised Ganguly and called him \u201cthe best captain I played under\u201d. Recalling an incident that illustrated his leadership, he said, \u201cOnce I was dropped in seaming conditions. Only one of Kumble or I could have played and it was the great Anil Bhai. The next day he called me. I didn\u2019t go. He called again but I was angry and didn\u2019t go. He even said, \u2018I am making coffee for you.\u2019 A very nice guy.\u201d Zaheer added, \u201cGanguly was very approachable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n