Shivendra Singh
On July 13, 2002, during the NatWest Trophy final between India and England at Lord’s, Sourav Ganguly famously took off his shirt and waved it from the balcony after India’s dramatic victory.
India were chasing a daunting target of 326 set by England. Despite a middle-order collapse, a brilliant partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif brought India back into the game. Kaif’s unbeaten 87 led India to a thrilling 2-wicket win with just 3 balls to spare.
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As the winning runs were scored, an exuberant Sourav Ganguly removed his jersey and waved it passionately from the Lord’s balcony, mimicking a similar celebration by England’s Andrew Flintoff earlier in the series. This iconic gesture has become one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history, symbolizing the rise of a new, aggressive Indian team under Ganguly’s captaincy.
While Sourav Ganguly later admitted it was an impulsive act he would not repeat, his shirt-waving celebration has endured as a defining image of India’s triumph. It showcased the team’s newfound confidence and willingness to take on the opposition, even on their home turf.
