Rewind: Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif script history as India achieve highest successful chase in ODI history in 2002

The period of the early 21^st century was a confounding time for India in ODI cricket. The team was staging a resurgence and were reaching the final. But, on the grand stage, they would collapse or choke to ensure the title slipped away from them. In many ways, the current Indian cricket team led by Virat Kohli is a reflection of the team that was led by Sourav Ganguly. The current Indian team was great in the bilateral series but in major ICC events, they seem to crumble.

The Natwest Trophy tri-series was a reflection of India’s fortunes. They had started the tournament with a bang by winning four out of their six games to top the group. They won all their three games against Sri Lanka while they won one game against England in Lord’s. India’s only loss came against the hosts and they sailed into the final high on confidence.

But, the Natwest Trophy 2002 final saw plenty of twists and turns. England started off brilliantly and reached a big total. India had a great start but collapsed in the middle. The same pattern was being repeated again. But, it took two young men to ensure that India scripted history and broke the jinx in a magnificent manner.

England set the pace early

Marcus Trescothick was in fine form as he played with positive intent. His opening partner, Nick Knight, struggled for timing and he was bowled off a full toss from Zaheer Khan. Trescothick was joined by Nasser Hussain as the duo looked to maintain the aggression. Hussain struggled for timing and struggled to find the gaps. Trescothick, on the other hand, expertly tackled the spinners. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh tried to stem the flow of runs but England was marching on.

Trescothick reached his century and the partnership with Hussain was worth 185 runs. The left-hander was bowled by Kumble as he dragged the slog sweep back onto the stumps. Hussain was joined by Andrew Flintoff and the scoring rate increased. Hussain continued to survive on luck but he reached his first century. As soon as he got to the milestone, Hussain angrily gestured to the media box and pointed out the number three on his jersey. There was a fair bit of criticism for Hussain about his recent form but he silenced the detractors.

Flintoff raced to 40 off 32 balls but he too fell to Zaheer Khan off a full toss. Hussain tried some innovation but he was dismissed by Ashish Nehra. England notched up 325/5 and India needed to achieve the highest chase in the final to win the trophy.

Ganguly, Sehwag plunder England but India collapse

Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag began like a train as they took the attack to the England bowlers. Ganguly was the more aggressive of the lot while Sehwag hit four boundaries in one over bowled by Ronnie Irani. The partnership went past 100 in quick time and it seemed like India was on course.

However, the familiar pattern of collapse followed. Ganguly was bowled by Alex Tudor for 60 while Sehwag fell for 45. Rahul Dravid fell to Irani for 5 while Ashley Giles dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for a scratchy 14. At 146/5, it looked to be game over. But, two young men in Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif changed the entire dynamics of the game.

Yuvraj had already made an impression in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy while Kaif was a supremely athletic fielder. Both youngsters curbed their aggression and played mature cricket. Slowly, but surely, they were starting the rebuilding. Yuvraj hit a six off Giles and followed it up with two fours off Flintoff.

Kaif also gave Yuvraj superb company as he rotated the strike and punished the loose balls. The partnership was 121 off 105 balls. But, on 69, Yuvraj top-edged a sweep from Paul Collingwood to be caught at short fine leg. But, Kaif carried the fight on. He hit a six off Tudor and he found valuable support from Harbhajan. The partnership was worth 47 but in the 48^th over, Flintoff sent back Harbhajan and Kumble. The match now ebbed and flowed regularly.

The revenge of Sourav Ganguly

In the 2001 series between India and England, India had blown a 3-1 lead in the ODI series as England leveled the series 3-3. In the final game at the Wankhede stadium, England won a close match and Flintoff removed his shirt to celebrate wildly. That celebration left a massive impression on Ganguly.

The equation had boiled down to two runs off the last over. Kaif was batting brilliantly on 87 but Zaheer Khan was facing Flintoff. Two dot balls followed and the equation was two runs off four balls. On the third ball, Flintoff bowled a low full toss. Zaheer tapped it to point and set off for a quick single. The throw missed. There were overthrows. Zaheer and Kaif came back for the second run and history had been created.

India had achieved the highest successful run-chase in the final of a tournament. Ganguly did to Flintoff what Flintoff had done in Mumbai. He took off his shirt and waved wildly in the Lord’s balcony. The raw emotion and joy were evident. The celebrations from the Indian camp were a sight to behold. India had finally broken the jinx in the ODI finals and they won the Natwest Trophy tri-series.

The tour of England would be very successful for Sourav Ganguly and the Indian team. They would draw the Test series 1-1. The win at Leeds would be their first since 1986, with Dravid, Tendulkar, and Ganguly smashing centuries. But, the initial success was laid by the partnership of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif at Lord’s.