If there is one thing Indian fans will never forget is Sourav Ganguly waving his shirt in Lord’s balcony. In clear jubilation, Ganguly went overboard to remove his shirt as India beat England in the final.
The tournament was indeed a very special one for Ganguly as India had won a series final after a very long time. England had posted a massive target of 325 runs on the board. It was a target many thought India wouldn’t chase it down.
In the lead to the chase, India reached 100 in no time all thanks to Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag’s opening stand. As Sehwag and Ganguly were dismissed, India went on to lose 5 quick wickets. Which brought Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh to the crease. The two youngsters stitched a 121 run partnership to seal India through to victory.
Sourav Ganguly was very passionate – Graeme Smith
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith recently recalled Sourav Ganguly and his shirt removing at the Lord’s stadium. The opening batsman was in all praise for the captain for being so passionate towards the game.
Smith remembered the celebration when he appeared on Star Sports Show Cricket connected. For Smith, it was a beautiful sight as India had won a series abroad after a very long time.
“I think all of us remember that celebration, it was a beautiful sight, seeing Dada [Ganguly]. More than anything besides the humour of it all, it was the passion that he showed in celebration,” Smith said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connect show.
The former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith also mentioned the emotion of Sourav Ganguly as they won the series in England. He also heaped praise for the captain as it showed what it meant to be winning a series abroad.
“It showed how much India winning meant to him and to overcome the challenge of winning the NatWest Trophy in England, to win away from home, driving Indian cricket forward. I think that shot epitomises everything we have discussed today.
“But I do have a chuckle every time I see it now. Also, Dada was running short on the hair side on those days, so it is a very humorous shot. But from a passion perspective, that speaks volumes,” concluded Smith.