“I realized there is no point in stopping him” – Sourav Ganguly reveals how Virender Sehwag defied his instructions during NatWest Trophy final

“I realized there is no point in stopping him” – Sourav Ganguly reveals how Virender Sehwag defied his instructions during NatWest Trophy final

The NatWest Trophy final in 2002 is etched in the minds of Indian cricket fans even today. At the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, India pulled off a truly remarkable chase from a seemingly improbable situation. The hosts had got to a big score of 325/5. The visitors got off to an excellent start as skipper Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag were at their explosive bests against the English bowling attack.

However, after their dismissals, the middle-order collapsed and England were on top. It was then that Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh got together and put on a partnership for the ages. Even as the latter got out for 69, Kaif ensured India were never out of the game and in the company of Zaheer Khan, led India to victory in the last over sparking wild celebrations in the dressing room.

Sourav Ganguly recalls Virender Sehwag defying instructions

Mohammad Kaif Natwest Series
Mohammad Kaif celebrates after the Natwest Series 2002 win

Sourav Ganguly spoke in a YouTube chat and recalled the NatWest trophy win and how Virender Sehwag defied his instructions. He said, “We were chasing 325 in that final. When we walked out to open, I was very disappointed and disturbed but Sehwag said we will win. We had a good start (82 in 12 overs) and I told him that since we had seen off the new ball bowlers, he should not lose his wicket and focus on singles.”

YouTube video

“But when Ronnie Irani came in to bowl his first over, and Sehwag smashed a four off the first ball. I walked up to him and said we have a boundary, now let us take singles. But he didn’t listen and hit a four off the second ball too. He hit a four off the third ball too. I was very angry. Then he hit one off the fifth ball too. I realized there is no point in stopping him since his natural style of play is aggressive,” he added.

Although Sehwag and Ganguly got out after getting India off to a rollicking start, it was the platform that they provided which helped Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh pull off the chase.

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