The famous incident where Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt happened on July 13, 2002, during the final of the NatWest Series between India and England at Lord's. This moment is etched in Indian cricket history as a symbol of defiance and celebration.
Background of the Match:
Tournament: NatWest Series 2002
Final: India vs. England
Venue: Lord's, London
Match Details:
England's Innings: England batted first and posted a formidable total of 325/5 in their 50 overs, with centuries from Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain.
India's Response: Chasing 326, India had a strong start but lost wickets in quick succession, reducing them to 146/5. Then, young players Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif played exceptional innings to bring India back into the game.
The Iconic Moment:
Ganguly's Shirt-Waving: After India won the match by 2 wickets, Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain, took off his shirt and waved it from the balcony of the Lord's Pavilion. This was a spontaneous reaction to India's thrilling victory and a response to a similar act by England's Andrew Flintoff earlier that year at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Ganguly's act became symbolic of a new, aggressive era in Indian cricket, reflecting the team's resilience and fighting spirit. It remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history.
