On July 13, 2002, Team India defeated England at Lord’s by chasing down an enormous 326-run mark, earning one of their most well-known white-ball victories. The two-wicket victory is still warmly recalled because it may have revealed a new-look India that was aggressive and brash.
After defeating England and Sri Lanka in the group stage, the Sourav Ganguly-led team advanced to the championship game. However, once England decided to bat first, things did not go well in their final at first. Nasser Hussain, the captain, and Marcus Trescothick both scored centuries to help the hosts amass an impressive 325-5.
Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag faced the England pacers in a remarkable comeback and scored 106 runs in 14.3 overs. The famous Indian middle order, which included players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, was now in charge of maintaining the momentum after the foundation had been laid.
However, after the first dismissal, India found themselves teetering at 146-5 and appeared to be out of the match after just 10 overs. The last batting tandem of young guns, Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, had the task of chasing down the runs.
The pair put up a 121-run stand for the sixth wicket, which saw the game continue until Yuvraj was bowled by Paul Collingwood. Kaif had to lead the squad to the objective because the chasing team was still some distance away.
The Men in Blue were able to reach the objective with three balls remaining thanks to the right-handed batter’s perseverance, an appearance from Anil Kumble, and complete mayhem near the finish.
The famous competition’s victory moment may be seen just below:
Kaif’s undefeated 87 runs off 75 deliveries, which featured six fours and two sixes, earned him Player of the Match honours.
The cherry on top of the Lord’s Cup celebration was Team India skipper Sourav Ganguly memorable celebration
The mood in the dressing room was electrifying when the team unexpectedly won the championship. Once the winning run was pursued.
Sourav Ganguly, the captain of Team India, went a step further by removing his shirt and waving it over his head while seated on the renowned Lord’s balcony.
The circle of vengeance was complete since England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff started the story by removing his jersey after his side defeated Ganguly and company by five runs at the Wankhede Stadium earlier that year.
Is the NatWest Finals the Men in Blue’s most iconic ODI win outside of ICC events? Tell us what you think.
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