'Kya kar raha hai, look at the scorecard' - Mohammad Kaif recalls Harbhajan Singh's advice in 2002 NatWest final

Last week on July 13, marked the eighteenth anniversary of India’s iconic 2002 Natwest Trophy win. Sourav Ganguly and his brigade clinched the Natwest Trophy in the thrilling encounter, with Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh emerging as the architects of India’s victory.

Kaif played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 87 while Yuvraj supported him by gathering 69. Both the youngsters steered the side to a win and the world witnessed an animated Ganguly waving his shirt in the Lord’s balcony to mark India’s resurgence.

England, on the back of centuries from captain Nasser Hussain and Marcus Trescothick, had posted a challenging 326-run total on the board. It was looking like an arduous task for the Men in Blue, especially after they lost five wickets for 146. However, Yuvraj and Kaif stitched a match-winning partnership of hundred plus runs.

Kaif stuck at the crease until the end but Yuvraj, after scoring 69, was dismissed by Paul Collingwood in the 42nd over. Post Yuvraj’s departure, Harbhajan played a vital 15-run cameo and also guided Kaif in the middle. Kaif, who played a few rash shots, was reminded by ‘Bhajji’ that there was no need to play in such a way as the situation was ‘run a ball’ one.

I was in shock after Yuvraj’s wicket fell: Mohammad Kaif

“Then, suddenly, Yuvraj fell. I was in shock, now I had to do it with the tailenders but had no experience in dealing with them,” Kaif penned down in an article for The Indian Express.

“I remember I pulled a six off Ronnie Irani – again not really the length for it but I just reacted. Irani was someone who would bowl around 120 kmph but had the attitude of a fast bowler. We two had a bit going in that game, I think.”

“Ï told Harbhajan to play his game as I didn’t want to confuse anyone. But it was Bhajji who helped me at an important moment. I had slogged Paul Collingwood and the ball went off the inside edge to fine leg for two runs. Bhaji told me, “Kya kar raha hai, what are you doing? Run-a-ball now, look at the scorecard.” I thought, yes, he is right. I just needed to watch the ball, play the ball,” Kaif further stated.

Kaif also recalled his emotions during the run chase. The right-hander was unsure of the triumph until the end but the third ball of the 50th over did the trick for India. Zaheer and Kaif ran two runs and the Sourav Ganguly-led side registered an iconic two-wicket victory.

“I went for a big leg-side shot against Gough but it flew off the edge to the third man boundary. Even then, I wasn’t sure of the win. You never know. Because if Zak got out, we had Nehraji. I can visualise him sitting in the dressing room, scratching his head.

Zaheer played out two dot balls, they didn’t want me on strike. There was a fear of losing the game till the end. But off the third ball, we went for a single but there was an overthrow and a panic run. That was it,” Kaif concluded.