Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag are two of the most destructive openers to have played for the Indian cricket team. The duo has given us many memorable moments on the field, during the glorious career.
Lately, an old video of Sourav Ganguly has resurfaced on social media, which has been going viral on the internet now. In the video, Sourav Ganguly can be seen sharing a few incidents from the famous Natwest Series of 2002 in which India won the famous final match at the Lord’s.
During the match, India was chasing a massive total of 325/5 and unlike today, it was a huge score to chase. And during that time Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag used to open the innings in the ODI format for India.
In the video, Sourav Ganguly revealed that while he was worried about the huge score, on the other hand, Sehwag was whistling and was unflustered and asked the skipper to remain calm. He also assured that India will win the match. He revealed:
“When the two of us were walking out to chase England’s 325, Sehwag was whistling. I was tense and told him to focus on the task. He told me, ‘Captain, we will win this game’!”
Chasing the huge total, the duo began well and smashed the English bowlers to all the corners of the ground. Soon, the score reached 81/0 after 12 overs and the Men in Blue were well on course to chase down the total.
Ganguly also revealed that how he warned Sehwag in the 13th over of the game, when medium-pacer Ronnie Irani came into the attack. He had warned Sehwag that the team has managed to get off to a great start and that there was no need to take any risks. However, Sehwag being Sehwag smashed the first ball to deep mid-wicket. This is when Ganguly walked up to him and asked him to not lose his wicket. But Sehwag once again smashed the ball to the boundary.
Ganguly got furious and didn’t meet Sehwag for the next 2 overs. He revealed that Sehwag listened to no one but he knew he wouldn’t spare him if he got out in such an attempt. The opening pair managed to add 106 runs for the first wicket and provided a great platform. India’s middle-order crumbled and the team was down to 146/5 at the departure of Sachin Tendulkar.
Later Yuvraj Singh formed an amazing partnership with Mohammed Kaif and the duo gave India their famous win. After winning the game, Ganguly removed his shirt and gave us the iconic shirt-waving moment at the Lord’s balcony.
Here, watch the video:
https://www.facebook.com/khelaghor07/posts/857189314846612
