Rajeev Shukla shares hidden details from Ganguly's iconic Lord's celebration
What's the story
BCCI vice president, Rajeev Shukla, has revealed new details about the iconic celebration led by former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly.
The event was witnessed during the NatWest series final against England in 2002. The match was held at Lord's.
Shukla, who was the team manager back then, opened up about his anxiety during India's run chase and Ganguly's unique celebration plan.
Here's more.
Match pressure
Shukla recalls tension during 2002 NatWest series final
Shukla recalled the immense pressure he was under during the match, even taking a blood pressure pill after England set a target of 325.
"That moment in Lord's, when we thought we were about to lose because I had taken a pill to control my blood pressure," Shukla said on Ranveer Allahbadia's YouTube show 'TRS.'
Shukla added, "I asked Sourav Ganguly about the score, and he said, 'Sir, let us at least go the field.' He was full of confidence."
Victory turnaround
India's comeback and Ganguly's celebration plan
Despite being reduced 146/5, India turned the game around with a stunning 121-run partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif and won with three balls to spare.
When recalling the moment, Shukla said "Then that winning moment was about to come, Sourav told the entire team they would take off their shirt and wave it in celebration, probably because Andrew Flintoff had done the same in Mumbai."
Gentleman's game
Tendulkar's intervention in Ganguly's celebration plan
Shukla recalled that it was done to mock England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had pulled off the same after the team's win in an ODI game.
However, Sachin Tendulkar advised against Ganguly's plan, regarding which Shukla stated, "But Sachin told me in the dressing room, 'Don't let the entire team do this. It's a gentleman's game."
However, after Shukla shared this conversation with Ganguly, who then decided to go ahead alone with his shirt-waving celebration.
Match
Here's how the Natwest final panned out
Brilliant centuries from the blades of Marcus Trescothick (109 off 100 balls) and skipper Nasser Hussain (115 off 128 balls) helped the hosts set a target of 325.
Zaheer Khan was India's pick among the bowlers (3/62).
In response, India got off to a flying start on the back of a 106-run partnership between Ganguly (60 off 43 balls) and Virender Sehwag (45 off 49 balls).
India suffered a collapse thereafter before Yuvraj and Kaif turned things around.