Sourav Gangulay’s famous shirt waving at Lord’s after India won the NatWest Series is still fresh in our minds. It’s been more than two decades to that iconic moment but still that moment is still talked with same fondness.
Be it any event or tournament, Sourav Ganguly still had to revisit that day when he removed his shirt and waved it in the air, everytime when he is asked about in any interview. He believes this question had a shelf life.
However, recently our Indian Cricket team skipper, Virat Kohli said that he will do the same.
During the book launch of Boria Majumdar, Eleven Gods and a Billion Indians, Sourav Ganguly repeated his famous line in the presence of Virat Kohli. He said:
“HE WILL TAKE HIS SHIRT OFF IN OXFORD STREET… We better get our cameras ready. Kohli has his six packs. I won’t be surprised if he takes his shirt off.”
Virat Kohli gave a hilarious reply, he said that he will be joined by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Virat Kohli said:
“I don’t think it will only be me. For sure, Hardik will be following me. 120 per cent. Bumrah is there as well because he has six packs too. He is there in the game. There will be a few candidates,”
Virat Kohli was only 13 years-old Sourav Ganguly did that iconic act. Virat Kohli recalls that night and revealed how exactly he celebrated India’s win at that time. He said:
“I clearly remember that night. The game started brilliantly. Those totals were very difficult to get. I slept off when we were five down. I went off to sleep. My brother woke me up and he said we were winning. I was like: ‘what are you talking about?’”
He feels that Sourav Ganguly did nothing wrong by celebrating by removing his shirt and waving it off in the air he said:
“You are not worried about being judged. You cannot be a robot. You have to be honest to yourself.”
He added:
“If you are not yourself, you will sleep with regrets. I am sure that moment was very organic – he did not care whether he was at the Lord’s balcony. He could have been anywhere in the world. That was just pure human emotion coming out.”
He also said:
“That moment was organic, that is how he wanted to enjoy himself after the win. It was just pure joy. It is very important to be honest to yourself.”
After this Virat Kohli burst into laughter when Sourav Ganguly revealed that VVS Laxman was trying to stop him from doing so.
Here’s the complete video of Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly talking about the iconic moment:
Well, whatever it is, now we just can’t wait for India to win the world cup 2019.
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