The memory of India’s enthralling triumph over England in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground remains one of the most iconic moments for cricket fans.
It was a dawn of a new era, a glimpse of what posterity holds for the Indian cricket team under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly.
July 13, 2020, marked the 18th anniversary of that emphatic victory. Former Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh shared a series of pictures on Twitter and even tagged Nasser Hussain, who was captaining England at that time.
“#Throwback to Natwest 2002 Final. Jaan laga di thi sab ne mil ke! We were young and we wanted to win. It was a wonderful team effort that helped us beat England and clinch the trophy in this nail-biting game @nassercricket just incase you forgot,” Yuvraj wrote on Twitter.
#Throwback to Natwest 2002 Final. Jaan laga di thi sab ne mil ke! We were young and we wanted to win. It was a wonderful team effort that helped us beat England and clinch the trophy in this nail-biting game 💪🏻💪🏻 @nassercricket just incase you forgot 😂🤪 pic.twitter.com/7LXBVWSHzp
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 13, 2020
The former English skipper took this in the right spirit and replied, “Some lovely photos mate .. thanks for sharing.”
Some lovely photos mate .. thanks for sharing 😉
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) July 13, 2020
Hussain, along with Marcus Trescothick, was the centurion of the match, playing a crucial role in propelling their team to a massive total of 325 in 50 overs.
Chasing a mammoth total, India went off to a flying start as the opening pair of Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag accumulated 106 runs inside 15 overs.
However, losing a flurry of wickets in a quick succession pushed India into a precarious position, with five wickets down at 146.
It was at this stage when two young and relatively inexperienced batsman – Yuvraj and Mohammad Kaif – rose to the occasion, pulling the most improbable victory for Team India.
While Kaif scored an unbeaten 87, his partner Yuvraj contributed 69 runs in a 121-runs stand.
The incomprehensible victory was followed by an era-defining sight of Ganguly going topless and waving his jersey from the balcony of Lord’s.
