Kaif thought Natwest 2002 final was lost when Yuvraj got out

Mohammad Kaif was the 'Man-of-the-Match' in India's nervy 2-wicket victory in Natwest Series final 2002.

By Salman Anjum - 21 Apr, 2020

The Natwest series final between India and England in 2002 is widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI matches. India had registered a nervy 2-wicket victory in that match while chasing England’s mammoth target of 325.

WATCH - Yuvraj Singh rues missing out on century in 2002 Natwest final

At one point in time, the Men in Blue were reeling at 146 for 5 but Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif were on a different mission as the duo added 121-run for the sixth wicket to change the complexion of the match. While Yuvi scored a blistering 63-ball 69, Kaif remained unbeaten on 75-ball 87 to guide India home with 3 balls to spare.

Recalling that iconic match, Kaif on Monday (April 20) said he had thought India would lose when Yuvraj got out.

"When you (Yuvraj) got out, I thought the match is gone. I did not think we will win," he told Yuvraj in an Instagram Live chat.

When Yuvraj got out, Team India still needed 59 runs for victory with four wickets in hand. But Kaif stayed there till the end alongside Zaheer Khan to take the visitors over the line.

"I was set, you were there. So I believed if we played till the end India win will. But you got out and India lost hope and my heart broke," Kaif added.

Widely deemed as one of the best fielders in India, Kaif said he worked on his fielding as he wanted to stand out in this department.

"I always wanted to be different and I wanted to focus on fielding. I worked really hard on my fielding."

Yuvraj, who himself was a livewire on the field, added that he and Kaif changed the momentum for India with their fielding brilliance on a number of occasions.

"At point and cover we changed the momentum in a lot of ways. Now the team has so many good fielders but I feel we changed the momentum," the southpaw said.

(With IANS inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 21 Apr, 2020

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