NatWest Series Final • Lord's • July 13, 2002
The Defining Moment
The day Indian cricket announced itself to the world. Not with quiet dignity, but with defiant celebration.
The Impossible Chase
A daunting target at the home of cricket.
Five wickets down. 180 runs needed. Hope fading.
Two youngsters remained.
One captain believed.
The Fightback
When two youngsters became legends
Yuvraj Singh
The 20-year-old unleashed. Boundaries flowing with fearless aggression.
runs
Mohammad Kaif
Ice in his veins. Unbeaten till the end. The finishing masterclass.
not out
The partnership that rewrote history
From 146/5 to 326/8. From impossible to inevitable.
The Moment
Lord's balcony. The home of cricket. The cathedral of the game.
Shirt off. Waving. Defiant. The captain had made his statement.
India had arrived.
Forever.
The Context
The Background
Mumbai, 2000. Andrew Flintoff celebrated by taking his shirt off after England's victory. The image stayed with Ganguly. The disrespect noted.
The Response
Two years later. Same opponent. Their home. Their sacred ground. Ganguly didn't just win. He made a statement. On the Lord's balcony. Shirt off. Waving it like a flag.
The Message
This wasn't just about cricket. This was about respect. About fighting back. About never backing down.
That moment changed Indian cricket's attitude forever. No more politeness. No more backing down. From that day, India fought. India believed. India won.