“You know Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt here” - Former India captain recalls hilarious Lord’s story when security guard didn't recognize him
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly recently recalled a hilarious conversation with a security guard at Lord’s, London. The steward had failed to recognize Ganguly while giving him a tour of the Lord’s balcony a few years ago.
Ganguly, Chairman of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, remained humble and didn’t reveal his identity when the guard told him about the famous incident from the 2002 Natwest Trophy Final. The erstwhile India captain had taken off his T-shirt as India chased down 325 in an ODI in and against England, an improbable target during that era.
Ganguly said (via Times Now):
"Four or five years ago, I was at the Lord's, so I entered the stadium from the meeting. There was a young steward in the dressing room. He took me to the balcony and said, 'Sir, this is the balcony. You know sir, Sourav Ganguly took off his shirt at this balcony.'”
Ganguly continued:
"So, he (steward) must have been taught because it's a tourist spot. People come and see the ground and the museum because it's a fantastic place to play cricket. So, he has been told that whoever visitor comes, you must tell him that this is the place where Sourav Ganguly took the shirt off. It's there in the museum. So, I asked, 'Who is this Sourav Ganguly?'”
The steward replied:
"Somebody is from India."
Ganguly asked him:
"Have you seen him ever?"
"The steward said, 'No no, I’ve joined this ground the last couple of years but I'm told everybody who comes, I have to say this.' So, I've been through that at Lord's as well," Ganguly concluded.
Sourav Ganguly-led India’s 326-run chase remains the highest by a visiting team at Lord’s
India’s 326 remains the highest-ever chase by a visiting team at Lord’s in One Day Internationals. Chasing the mammoth target, skipper Ganguly (60 off 43) and Virender Sehwag (45 off 49) gave India a flying start. The duo shared a 106-run partnership for the opening wicket.
The tourists soon suffered a middle-order collapse but Yuvraj Singh (69 off 63) and Mohammad Kaif (87 off 75) stepped up to propel the Men in Blue to a historic two-wicket win.