Sourav Ganguly is known for being emotional but what he did on the Lords balcony in 2002 was sensational. Andrew Flintoff had done it on the tour to India the previous year - this was Ganguly's response to him after winning a massive chase.The Indian team had done well in the league matches of the Tri-series, winning matches decisively. This was also the stage when Ganguly convinced Dravid to keep wickets so that the team could play seven batsmen.
The Indian bowling had a different look with the left-armers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan opening the bowling while Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh handled the spin department. On a placid pitch, the English batsmen Trescothick and Nasser Hussain scored centuries to take the target to 325.
Sehwag and Ganguly started the response with a bang, bringing the hundred in the fourteenth over. But quick wickets meant that the scoreboard read 146-5 after 24 overs. Yuvraj and Kaif got together not only to rebuild the innings but also keep the run-rate going. Taking chances when they could, both the batsmen rotated the strike to ensure that the chase was in control. Even though Yuvraj fell, Kaif donned the mantle of the senior player and guided the team to victory in the last over.
This was India's highest run-chase in ODI matches, thanks to the efforts of the young brigade. The crux of this team would be part of the team that would do well in international matches both at home and overseas. This win played no small part in increasing the confidence of the young team under Ganguly.
The Indian bowling had a different look with the left-armers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan opening the bowling while Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh handled the spin department. On a placid pitch, the English batsmen Trescothick and Nasser Hussain scored centuries to take the target to 325.
Sehwag and Ganguly started the response with a bang, bringing the hundred in the fourteenth over. But quick wickets meant that the scoreboard read 146-5 after 24 overs. Yuvraj and Kaif got together not only to rebuild the innings but also keep the run-rate going. Taking chances when they could, both the batsmen rotated the strike to ensure that the chase was in control. Even though Yuvraj fell, Kaif donned the mantle of the senior player and guided the team to victory in the last over.
This was India's highest run-chase in ODI matches, thanks to the efforts of the young brigade. The crux of this team would be part of the team that would do well in international matches both at home and overseas. This win played no small part in increasing the confidence of the young team under Ganguly.
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