This day, a decade ago on the 13th July 2002 India won a remarkable final against England in the Natwest Trophy at Lords. Coming into this championship clash, India had lost 9 finals consecutively and it looked like a similar script was about to unfold as the Englishmen posted a mammoth score of 325 batting first. The score looked too daunting and at that stage of time only once before was a total in excess of this was ever chased by a team to win a one day international. Considering the pressure of a big match final at the Home of cricket in addition to India's immensely meek predicament in recent finals, it certainly didn't lift the spirits one bit.
India however got off to a fine start with the openers Ganguly and Sehwag blazing their way to a rollicking stand of 100 within the first 15 overs. And then it all started caving apart with wickets being lost at regular intervals. It was virtually another tale of good riddance when Sachin Tendulkar was castled by Giles to leave India reeling at 146/5. This dismissal brought in two young future hopes of Indian cricket Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif to the crease. They had brought glory to India by being part of the victorious Under 19 world cup team. Frankly, not much was expected of these two except for a reasonable fight to simply ensure it doesn't yield towards an embarrassingly landslide defeat.
Slowly but steadily, from a precarious position where India were virtually under the cosh these young turks started ticking the runs off the scoreboard. The partnership started blossoming and these guns rose up to the occasion by playing the innings of their life to give India a semblance of hope. When Yuvi held out, it again looked like a 'yet so near yet so far story'. However his dismissal didn't hinder the momentum and India kept chalking in the runs with the lower order providing a stable ground to Kaif at the other end.
It came down to the last over of the innings with Zaheer on strike and 2 required off 4 deliveries. He got a touch off the bat off Flintoff and scampered his way to the other end to give his partner the strike. The throw from the fielder was however long enabling India to get the additional run and seal the win. It was a remarkable comeback considering the circumstance and it was beyond disbelief that India could really pull this one off. It was back then the 2nd highest chase in One Day Internationals.The match is also well remembered for Sourav Ganguly's shirt twirling act at the Lords Balcony. A truly unforgettable day in the annals of Indian Cricket History. Gives goosebumps even today watching and reminiscing that nostalgic day which took place on a sunny Sunday at the Home of Cricket.
India however got off to a fine start with the openers Ganguly and Sehwag blazing their way to a rollicking stand of 100 within the first 15 overs. And then it all started caving apart with wickets being lost at regular intervals. It was virtually another tale of good riddance when Sachin Tendulkar was castled by Giles to leave India reeling at 146/5. This dismissal brought in two young future hopes of Indian cricket Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif to the crease. They had brought glory to India by being part of the victorious Under 19 world cup team. Frankly, not much was expected of these two except for a reasonable fight to simply ensure it doesn't yield towards an embarrassingly landslide defeat.
Slowly but steadily, from a precarious position where India were virtually under the cosh these young turks started ticking the runs off the scoreboard. The partnership started blossoming and these guns rose up to the occasion by playing the innings of their life to give India a semblance of hope. When Yuvi held out, it again looked like a 'yet so near yet so far story'. However his dismissal didn't hinder the momentum and India kept chalking in the runs with the lower order providing a stable ground to Kaif at the other end.
It came down to the last over of the innings with Zaheer on strike and 2 required off 4 deliveries. He got a touch off the bat off Flintoff and scampered his way to the other end to give his partner the strike. The throw from the fielder was however long enabling India to get the additional run and seal the win. It was a remarkable comeback considering the circumstance and it was beyond disbelief that India could really pull this one off. It was back then the 2nd highest chase in One Day Internationals.The match is also well remembered for Sourav Ganguly's shirt twirling act at the Lords Balcony. A truly unforgettable day in the annals of Indian Cricket History. Gives goosebumps even today watching and reminiscing that nostalgic day which took place on a sunny Sunday at the Home of Cricket.
