Remembering the iconic Lord’s celebration – Firstpost
The makers of Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story have unveiled the first-look poster of the upcoming biopic, offering audiences their first glimpse of Rajkummar Rao as one of Indian cricket’s most influential captains.
Released on Ganguly’s birthday, the poster recreates perhaps the defining image of his career- standing on the iconic Lord’s balcony, waving his India jersey after India’s unforgettable victory in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final. The makers also announced that the film will hit theatres on May 14, 2027, over an extended holiday weekend.
The image instantly transports cricket fans back to one of the sport’s most memorable celebrations. But for many younger viewers, it also raises a question- why did Sourav Ganguly take off his shirt at one of cricket’s most traditional venues?
A poster that recreates a defining chapter in Indian cricket
Rather than choosing one of
Ganguly’s elegant cover drives or his numerous trophy lifts for the first look of his biopic, the makers have recreated the moment that arguably came to define his captaincy.
In the poster, Rajkummar Rao stands on the Lord’s balcony, triumphantly waving his blue India jersey, a recreation of Ganguly’s celebration after India chased down 326 against England in the NatWest Trophy final in July 2002.
According to the makers, the moment symbolises “a fearless new era of Indian cricket” and remains “an enduring emblem of confidence, defiance and belief.” It’s difficult to think of another image that encapsulates Ganguly’s legacy quite as powerfully.
The day India pulled off one of its greatest ODI chases
The celebration came after one of India’s most dramatic victories. Playing England at Lord’s in the NatWest Trophy final, India faced a daunting target of 326, powered by centuries from Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain.
India appeared to be cruising after an explosive opening stand between Ganguly and Virender Sehwag. But the innings unravelled dramatically as wickets tumbled, leaving the visitors reeling at 146 for 5.
Then came the partnership that changed everything. Youngsters (back then) Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif steadied the innings before Kaif, batting with the lower order, guided India to a famous two-wicket win with just three balls to spare.
For many fans, it remains one of India’s greatest one-day victories.
Why Ganguly took off his shirt
The celebration wasn’t a spontaneous act of excitement. It was, in many ways, a response.
A few months earlier, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff had celebrated a victory over India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium by removing his shirt and running around the ground, a gesture that many Indian supporters considered provocative.
Ganguly admitted years later that his Lord’s celebration was partly a response to Flintoff’s antics.
As Mohammad Kaif hit the winning runs, cameras turned to the Lord’s pavilion balcony. There stood Ganguly, swinging his India jersey high above his head. At Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket” and known for its traditions and etiquette, the image was shocking. But for Indian fans, it became symbolic.
More than a celebration, it marked a new Indian team
By 2002, Ganguly was rebuilding Indian cricket after the match-fixing scandal that had shaken the sport. He backed a fearless generation that included Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Mohammad Kaif, encouraging them to believe they could beat the world’s best on foreign soil rather than simply compete.
The NatWest Trophy triumph became a statement that India could chase intimidating totals, fight back from impossible situations and win overseas.
The shirt-waving celebration captured that transformation in a single frame. It was about announcing that Indian cricket had found a new attitude.