OTD India’s iconic victory over England in NatWest final in 2002

India have won many big-ticket tournaments since the 1983 World Cup triumph. They have won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and 2024. The ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2002 and 2025. However, the triumph in the NatWest final in 2002 is still remembered fondly by Indian cricket fans because it gave them the belief that they can win from any situation, even without contributions from their stalwarts.

India, England, and Sri Lanka competed in the Tri-Nation series in 2002 in the United Kingdom. The Men in Blue reached the final, where they faced hosts England at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

England captain Nasser Hussain won the toss and opted to bat first at the Home of Cricket. Marcus Trescothick and Hussain slammed centuries, while Andrew Flintoff also played an important cameo as England amassed 325/5 in their 50 overs. Zaheer Khan conceded 62 runs in his 10 overs but picked up three wickets.

Chasing the mammoth target, India got off to a flying start as Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly added a 106-run partnership inside 15 overs. However, Dinesh Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid were dismissed cheaply as England stormed back into the game. From 106/0, India slumped to 146/5.

India were staring down the barrel, with youngsters Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh having their backs against the wall. While Indian fans were starting to give up hopes, Yuvraj and Kaif played counter-attacking cricket and kept chipping away at the target. They forged an epic 121-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The southpaw was dismissed after scoring 69 runs off 63 balls.

Kaif, however, continued hitting the England bowlers all around the park. Harbhajan Singh contributed with a crucial 15-run knock before Anil Kumble departed for a duck. Zaheer Khan and Kaif took the team to victory with two wickets and three balls to spare.

Before this, India had lost nine out of 10 previous multi-team finals. Indian captain Ganguly waved his shirt from the Lord’s balcony after the win, and the gesture was a bold return to Flintoff’s shirtless celebration earlier in a match in India.

This showed that the Indian team was not going to take any prisoners going forward. More than two decades have gone by but the NatWest final win continues to inspire many young cricketers and fans in India.

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