New Delhi: In what is widely regarded as one of India's most cherishable cricketing moments, Sourav Ganguly-led Men in Blue defeated England by 2 wickets to clinch the Natwest series on this day in 2002.
Batting first, England posted a formidable total of 325 runs on board, courtesy two brilliant tons by Marcus Trescothick (109) and skipper Nasser Hussain (115).
After Nick Knight was bowled for 42 by Zaheer Khan in the eighth over of the innings, the duo added a brilliant 185-run stand for the second wicket.
Batting at number four, Andrew Flintoff smashed 40 runs off just 32 balls as England reached 325 – a score which was considered mammoth at the time.
Unperturbed with the number of runs on board, Virender Sehwag (45) and Sourav Ganguly (60) got India off to a flier by providing a century stand in just 14.6 overs.
But once Ganguly was dismissed by Alex Tudor, India lost wickets in a flurry as Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia (9), Sachin Tendulkar (14) and Rahul Dravid (5) were all back in the hut in the next eight overs.
The celebrations had begun at the Lord's cricket ground with India wobbling at 5/146.
It was then that Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, two of India's promising youngsters, launched a counter-attack, much to the shock of the English dressing room.
The duo added 121 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership but England struck back as they removed Yuvraj in the 42nd over. Kaif then took the responsibility on his shoulders and remained unbeaten on 87 to guide India to a stunning victory.
The moment India won the match, an animated Ganguly removed his team jersey and waved it towards the English players.
Watch the video of the thrilling finish here:
