August 26, 2002. Day 5 of the 3rd Test between England and India. England 239/4, needing 116 runs to make India bat again and more importantly, needing to bat out an entire day to save the game. India needed 6 wickets and if needed, chase down a few runs in order to draw level in the 4-match series. England knew a draw would preserve a 1-0 lead and ensure they could not lose the series.
But before the last day unfolded, this was a Test India dominated for the most part. Day 1 saw Sanjay Bangar (68) and Rahul Dravid (148) build a solid platform for a big total. On Day 2 it was capitalised on by Sachin Tendulkar (193) and Sourav Ganguly (128). The Big Three hit centuries, the only time it would happen in the same innings in a Test. A declaration early on Day 3 on 628/8 meant India had no plans to bat again.
Reuters
England needed to score 429 to avoid the follow-on. They never got close. Losing 9 wickets on Day 3 itself, they were bundled out for 273 on the 4th morning of the match. By Stumps on Day 4, they were 239/4. India knew that a good first session on Day 5 could end it.
That is just what happened. Led by Anil Kumble (4/66), India began to send one Englishman back after another. Nasser Hussain’s 110 only delayed the inevitable. Sourav Ganguly’s boys were moving in for the kill and they could smell blood.
Reuters
Then came the moment of truth. Caddick was caught at slip by Ganguly and that was it. India had won by an innings and 46 runs and the series was level 1-1. It would be the final scoreline after the 4th test was drawn. This was only India’s 4th Test win in England and first since 1986. An occasion to remember.
5 years later, India would win their 5th Test on English soil and eventually their first series since 1986, but that is a tale for another day.