The Natwest Trophy Final 2002 is one of the most memorable moments in Indian Cricket. The nation celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and many players from the playing 11 got nostalgic on social media sharing anecdotes from the match. Recently, God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar shared an interesting incident from the final on his Youtube channel.
On July 13, 2002, India captained by Sourav Ganguly, the Prince of Kolkata, beat England by two wickets. Yuvraj Singh (69) and Mohammed Kaif (87*) helped the Indian side pull off an incredible run chase after a number of experienced hitters were out early in the innings. India was really in trouble at 146/5 in the 326-run chase at one point, but the youthful combination helped the team get out of it before leading the team to victory.
When discussing the mood in the dressing room during the partnership of Yuvraj and Kaif, Tendulkar said that he had instructed every player on the team to remain in place.
In the Youtube video he said, “By the end of the 25th over, we had probably lost five wickets. We were disappointed because we had lost wickets. And both batters at the crease were youngsters. Yuvi had started his career only 2 or 2.5 years ago, and Kaif had just entered the side. But you could see that energy. They converted ones into twos, they were smashing boundaries. There were messages circulating from dressing room, we were communicating in sign language. When Yuvi attacked, Kaif played a brilliant supporting role. When Yuvi was dismissed, Kaif took charge and took the game to the end. It was a nail-biting finish.”
He added, “We decided that no one will move from their spots in the dressing room. I was instrumental in telling that to everyone!”
Then he revealed the incident that no one knows till this date. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif came to talk to him after the historic win. “Dada took his jersey off, that everyone knows. But there is another story that no one knows about. Yuvi and Kaif came to meet me after the game, they said, ‘Paaji, our performance was good, but if we have to do something even better than this, what should we do?’ I was like, ‘you have just won the tournament for us! What more do you want to do? Just keep doing the same and Indian cricket will be fine’. They haven’t disappointed us.”
