Virender Sehwag has called his former skipper Sourav Ganguly 'Salman Khan' for the famous topless act following India's victory against England in the NatWest Trophy at Lord's. July 13, 2016 marks the 14th anniversary of one of India's most sensational overseas ODI win.
Ganguly, known for being an aggressive leader and tit-for-tat demeanour, took off his shirt and waved it vigorously from the sacred Lord's balcony after Mohammed Kaif and Yuvraj Singh sealed a stunning two-wicket win with three balls remaining in 2002.
Ganguly's reaction was a fitting reply to Andrew Flintoff. In February 2002, the burly English all-rounder had run around the Wankhede Stadium topless after England had won the sixth ODI versus India by five runs to level the series 3-3.
Flintoff took three wickets in the match. He ran out Anil Kumble and bowled Javagal Srinath to win a thriller for England. Ganguly was India's top scorer with 80 and picked two for 40 when England batted first to score 255 all out in 49.1 overs. Flintoff scored 40.
Ganguly's war dance was considered an act of defiance that brought down Lord's rich heritage by a few notches. Sehwag still remembers the incited seemingly with a lot of pride.
Before Ganguly had bared his torso at cricket's Mecca, Bollywood superstar had already become famous for his topless acts in several Hindi movies.
A shirtless Salman, showing his muscular upper body, became the actor's signature in several movies like Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) and more recently, Dabangg (2010), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and even a TV show - Dus Ka Dum.
While Ganguly has said his topless act at Lord's was a 'heat of the moment' affair, Salman is happy to repeatedly bare his body for his numerous fans.
However for Sehwag, who remains an aggressive and witty commentator of the game, Ganguly remains his real life hero.