On This Day in 2002: India's historic Natwest trophy victory

Every '90s kid can recall the final of the Natwest Series against England as their favourite cricketing memory growing up. Sourav Ganguly’s India did the unthinkable and defeated England on their home turf by chasing 326 runs. In that era, India were touted as one of the strongest teams on paper, given the quality of senior players and the talent young players possessed. However, they were never the favourites to win any tournament, given how strong Australia and England were.

Ganguly had the opportunity to change that and he did it in style. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first and right from the start, they had the upper hand in Lord’s. Opener Marcus Trescothick smashed 109 runs off 100 deliveries while batting at number three, captain Nasser Hussain made 115 runs. The duo stitched a partnership of 185 runs, which put India under tremendous pressure.

The bowlers were hit all across the park and none of India’s plan worked. All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was fantastic as well and courtesy of his 40, England posted 325 runs in the first innings. Even so, the confidence was never down in the Indian camp. During the innings break, Ganguly motivated the Indian players as they believed that the target was chaseable. All the captain wanted was Virender Sehwag to stay long in the crease.

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However, the opener didn’t oblige his captain and played an aggressive brand of cricket. He gave a brilliant start but couldn’t capitalize. He smashed 45 runs while Sourav Ganguly departed after scoring 60 runs. Wickets fell like a house of cards after their dismissals as India were 146/5 in no time. The confidence was going down while some of the Indian supporters also left the stadium thinking of a defeat.

Kaif-Yuvraj's special knock piloted India to a famous victory away from home

What followed next was a miracle. Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, who were young at that time, took control of the situation and stitched a partnership of 121 runs which brought India back into the contest. The southpaw got out for 69 runs and just like that, the visitors were once again under pressure as England could smell the victory.

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That’s when Kaif rose to the occasion and played some brilliant cricket to help India win the match in the final over of the game. He guided the tailenders and helped India register one of the greatest ODI wins in history.