On this day in the year 2002, Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh showed the world the emergence of a new Indian site that could chase big totals away from home. Unarguably, the 2002 Natwest Series final victory marked the turnaround of Indian Cricket.
Batting first, England posted a mammoth 325-run total in their fifty overs. 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 121 runs 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.
Yuvraj Singh scored 69 runs off 63 balls, while Kaif amassed 87 runs off 75 deliveries.
