WATCH: When Zaheer Khan Bowled Spin, Dravid & Laxman Took First Test Wickets & Kumble Played With Broken Jaw
India vs West Indies 4th Test 2002 had everything but the result.
Every now and then, there is a test match that everyone remembers for its results, the excitement it created, and the team that won. Seldom are there any drawn test matches that bring entertainment to both players and the viewers.
India vs West Indies 4th Test 2002
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The pitch was flat. The scoreline proved that there was nothing for the bowlers - India: 513/9D & West Indies 629/9D in five days. Yet, a lot happened in that nothing game.
The test match is famous for Anil Kumble's heroic act of batting for 20 minutes with a broken jaw and then coming back to the field with his face bandaged and sending down 14 consecutive overs and in between getting the wicket of Brian Lara. Kumble was hit by a Mervyn Dillon bouncer and spat out blood on the pitch. He continued to play the test because he "didn't want to sit around".
This was the first test match where wicketkeepers from both the teams scored a century - Ajay Ratra and Ridley Jacobs. Ajay Ratra, during his 115 not-out, became the youngest wicketkeeper to score a test century at the age of 20 and also the second Indian keeper to score a hundred overseas.
Interestingly, Ajay Ratra also bowled one over while Rahul Dravid kept wickets. Yes, it was that kind of a test match. Not only Ratra, but it was only the third test match where all 11 players bowled in an inning.
Also Read: Scorecard
Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer, and VVS Laxman sent down 37 overs between themselves. The trio picked their maiden test wicket as well. Jaffer took two wickets and never bowled again. Dravid took the only test wicket of his career while Laxman took one more after that. With the match heading to a draw, fast bowler Zaheer Khan decided to bowl left-arm orthodox.