When Sachin said no but Dada said, ‘Let’s go’ - The story of Lord’s T-shirt celebration
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla revealed that Sourav Ganguly's iconic T-shirt twirl at Lord's in 2002 was initially intended as a team celebration. However, Sachin Tendulkar advised against it, deeming it inappropriate. Ganguly proceeded alone, creating a memorable cricketing moment after India's NatWest Trophy win.
LUCKNOW: The image of then Indian captain Sourav Ganguly twirling his T-shirt from the Lord’s balcony after the NatWest Trophy triumph in 2002 remains etched in the memory of cricket lovers. For some, it was a fitting response to Andrew Flintoff’s similar gesture in India after an England victory; for others, it clashed with the sport’s “gentlemanly” image. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW! What is less known, however, is that Ganguly had initially wanted the entire team to join him — an idea that was quietly vetoed by Sachin Tendulkar. The anecdote was shared by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla during the TOISA event, when he was asked about his most cherished cricketing memory.
Shukla said the NatWest Trophy final between India and England at Lord’s on July 13, 2002, tops his list. Then serving as team manager, he recalled the emotional rollercoaster of the historic night. “It was a great team with a blend of experience and youth, and we reached the final without much difficulty.
In the final, England posted a mammoth 325, and I started panicking as we had to chase history to lift the trophy. “Virender Sehwag assured me there was nothing to worry about. He opened the innings with Ganguly and forged a century partnership in 14 overs.