Just after their narrow 22-run victory against India during the third Test of the five-match series at Lord’s, the home captain, Ben Stokes, drops a bombshell on how his premier pacer, Jofra Archer, was confused on the fifth morning of the red-ball fixture around the dates of the 2019 World Cup final and the 2002 NatWest final, both taking place at the iconic venue. 

On the morning of July 14, the sixth anniversary of the 2019 50-over World Cup, Stokes asked Jofra Archer about his feelings on the date when he bowled the super over against New Zealand during their win by the barest of all margins. And the Barbados-born turned back to mix it up with Sourav Ganguly’s 2002 NatWest final.

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‘I just said to him this morning, I said ‘You know what today is?’ And there was that, you know, the highlight package, when India knocked off like 300 odd back in the day when Ganguly (signals waving his shirt), and he thought that was the World Cup final as well. He thought that was six years today, genuine, and I was like, ‘No, the World Cup that we won? And he went, ‘Oh that one!!’ Absolute beauty that boy.’ Stokes revealed the story.

Watch: Know how Jofra Archer confuses the 2019 World Cup win with the 2002 NatWest final

Jofra made a remarkable return to the red-ball format after nearly four years. In the first innings, he drew first blood with the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal to lift the London crowd on their feet. In the second innings, he clicked a few vital wickets in the form of Rishabh Pant before grabbing an absolute return catch of Washington Sundar.

Ben Stokes on Sourav Ganguly's tshirt celebration at Lord's Balcony.pic.twitter.com/FKd066BnyH

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 14, 2025

Archer was also on the firing line of bowling the super over of the 2019 World Cup. Even after going for a six in the early part of the over, he held his nerve to keep them in the hut. The last ball was fired up leg side on the legs, and Martin Guptill couldn’t make the double and felt short of inches from lifting the title.

In the case of the 2002 NatWest final at the same ground, India was not in the chase, losing five wickets before 50% completion of the target. That was when Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh put up a great partnership before the lower order carried them over the line as Ganguly made the famous shirt-waving in the balcony.

Triumph in the 1983 World Cup is still fresh in memory. India humbled the mighty West Indies in that game. On that historical day at the Lord’s, Kapil Dev’s India added another thriller encounter to the pages of cricket history. On July 13, 2002, it was the moment for Sourav Ganguly’s Team India.

From ’83 to 2002, India was still considered the emerging cricket country, an underdog. When they stepped into the Lord’s Cricket Ground to play the final of the NatWest series against England, it was a battle like the battle between David and Goliath. England, the home team, played the part of the giant. Like 1983’s final, India found themselves again on the back foot while chasing a target of 326. Over two decades ago, a target over 300 was considered beyond the grip of the second batting team.

Again, a heart broke for India in a final that was looked at very closely when Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Dinesh Mongia came and went. The foundation established by Virendra Sehwag (45) and captain Sourav Ganguly (60) is about to be demolished by Andrew Flintoff, Ronnie Irani, and Ashley Giles. In the second innings, the scoreboard was ticking at 146, and India was already down by 5 wickets, and England was oozing with confidence. 

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That partnership of Kaif and Yuvraj...

Back in those days, India could be considered the second favorite in the finals, but the cricketers never learned to surrender without taking the last breath. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, two fresh-blooded young stars, almost out of the equation, created an unthinkable partnership of 121 in 106 balls. 

Partnership over a hundred today may not sound surreal, but back then, when India just started to take off with a bunch of new faces, it was a different thing. Kaif, who is mostly known for his exciting fielding skills, won the man of the match award for scoring an unbeaten 87 off 75 deliveries, and Yuvraj Singh got 69 off 63 before going back to the dugout. After the departure of Yuvraj, Harbhajan Singh added another important 15 runs, and Zaheer Khan managed to hang on to the wicket with Kaif and steal another infamous win for the Men in Blue. India won the match by 2 wickets and 3 balls to spare.

It’s been two decades since the cricket world witnessed one of the greatest battles on the 22 yards when India and England clashed in the final of the 2002 NatWest Trophy on July 13 at Lord’s. The Men in Blue dedicated their sweat and blood until Sourav Ganguly marked the historic victory by waving his shirt from Lord’s balcony. Under Ganguly’s leadership, India played exceptionally well throughout the tri-series, winning four of their five league games. Heading into the final to meet the hosts, there were doubts about whether they could replicate their earlier performances. However, through extraordinary team effort and Ganguly’s aggressive approach, India lifted the historic NatWest Trophy.

The match: A display of grit and determination

On July 13, 2002, India pulled off a stunning 2-wicket victory in the NatWest Series final against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Chasing a daunting target of 326, Indian openers Ganguly and Virender Sehwag provided a solid foundation with a 102-run stand. However, wickets began to tumble, leaving India in a precarious position at 146/5. A brilliant partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif turned the tide in India’s favour. The duo added 121 runs, with Yuvraj scoring a majestic 69 and Kaif remaining unbeaten on 87.

As the drama continued and wickets fell at regular intervals, the tension was palpable. Needing 12 runs from the last 4 overs, Harbhajan Singh’s quickfire 15 off just 8 balls brought India within touching distance. With 2 runs needed off the final ball, Rahul Dravid, the epitome of calmness, nudged the ball past the fielder, sending the Indian dressing room and a sizeable Indian contingent in the crowd into a frenzy.

The heroes and the iconic celebration by Ganguly

The victory at Lord’s marked a significant milestone in Indian cricket, showcasing the team’s growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure. From Ganguly’s captaincy to Rahul Dravid’s composure and the heroics of Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, and Harbhajan Singh, each player contributed to the triumph. Ganguly’s shirt-waving celebration was more than just a spontaneous expression of joy. It was a statement of defiance, a response to the criticism and scepticism India faced during the series. In a moment that captured the nation’s imagination, Ganguly took off his jersey and waved it in defiance at the Lord’s balcony, a gesture that reverberated across India. This act signified India’s newfound aggression and self-belief.

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The 2002 NatWest Trophy win was more than just a victory; it was a watershed moment for Indian cricket. It marked the arrival of a new, aggressive India, one that wouldn’t be cowed by tradition or reputation. The team, under Ganguly’s leadership, ushered in a new era of dominance in world cricket. Today, we celebrate the heroes who made it possible, and the triumph remains one of India’s most memorable victories in international cricket, continuing to inspire generations of cricket fans.