On 13th July 2002, India won their first limited over’s series in England under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. Indian cricketer, Yuvraj Singh took to Twitter to mark the special occasion.
#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.” He wrote on his 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
Mohammad Kaif too went nostalgic and recalled Natwest Series final triumph.
“July 13, 2002: The day we climbed Mt Everest at Lord’s…Dada shirtless, Yuvi nerveless, Zak’s support priceless, Me fearless…memories endless.” Kaif wrote in his Tweet.
July 13, 2002: The day we climbed Mt Everest at Lord's…Dada shirtless, Yuvi nerveless, Zak's support priceless, Me fearless…memories endless. pic.twitter.com/ND6UDkaUiM
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 13, 2020
Both Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh showed the world the emergence of a new Indian Side that could chase big totals away from home. Unarguably, the 2002 Natwest Series final victory marked the turnaround of Indian Cricket.
Talking about the match, England posted a mammoth 325-run total in their fifty overs in the first innings. Opener Nick Knight fell early but Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain made sure England don’t lose their next wicket until 37th over of the innings.
The duo stitched 185-run partnership as they laid the foundation for a big total in the final. Trescothick scored 109 runs off 100 balls, while skipper Nasser Hussain scored his maiden century in International Cricket, amassing 115 runs off 128 balls.
Zaheer Khan was the pick of the bowlers for India, claiming three wickets for 62 in 10 overs. India, in reply, got off to a rollicking start with both Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly firing on all cylinders. However, once Ganguly fell in the 15th over, wickets tumbled in short intervals as India saw them reeling at 146 for 5 in 23.6.
Sachin Tendulkar was the fifth wicket to fall as spectators started to leave the stadium. However, little did they know that they were about to witness one of the best run-chases in International Cricket.
Mohammad Kaif joined Yuvraj Singh in the middle as they started resurrecting India’s chase. Both mixed caution with aggression and played some glorious shots against the likes of Darren Gough, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles etc.
The duo added 121runs for the sixth wicket and took the total past 260-run mark in the 42nd over. Yuvraj Singh fell off Collingwood in the 42nd over, however, Mohammad Kaif remained till the end and took India home with three balls remaining in the match.
