Former Team India skipper and current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly recalls how the 2002 Natwest final against England is easily one of the greatest cricket matches that he’s ever been part of.
“The Natwest finals had its own charm when you win in England on a Saturday in Lord’s, its a remarkable feeling. It was a packed house and its a remarkable experience when you play in front of a packed stadium at Lord’s,” Ganguly told opening batsman Mayank Agarwal in a video posted on the official handle of BCCI.
“It was a great moment, we all got carried away, but that’s what sport is when you win, you celebrate, that is one of the great cricket matches I have been part of,” he added.
A gigantic target of 326 has been set by England team in the finals. With a giant target to chase India struggled at very first by losing 5 wickets for 146 runs. Indian team top-order players failed to give the expected start while chasing the mammoth score of 326.
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Luckily India got Yuvraj and Kaif partnership, where they added 121 runs before Yuvi returned pavilion for 69 runs. While Kaif dragged India to a thrilling final over victory with two wickets and three balls to spare.
As soon as India lands in victory celebration where the then skipper “Dada” Ganguly removes his jersey and spins over his head and express his emotional celebration over the victory.
Ganguly’s celebration is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in cricketing history.
Under Ganguly’s leadership, India had also reached the finals of the 2003 World Cup, but Sourav’s side got humbled by a tremendously clinical Australian team.
“2003 World Cup has a special place, we got smashed by Australia in the finals, they were the best team in that generation as I have said before, beating every team in the tournament except for Australia, I thought it was a great achievement,” Ganguly said.
Also read: Have Huge Respect for Sourav Ganguly, He Started Revolution in Indian Cricket: Nasser Hussain
