Virat Kohli Birthday Tribute: Sehwag Evokes Iconic Lord’s Balcony Moment in Heartfelt Celebration for Ganguly]

Virat Kohli Birthday Tribute: Sehwag Evokes Iconic Lord’s Balcony Moment in Heartfelt Celebration for Ganguly]

Sourav Ganguly turned 54 on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and Virender Sehwag’s birthday message captured the essence of their legendary partnership without saying much at all. The former India opening batter took to X with a post that was part tribute, part poetry, pointing back to the defining moment both men shared that cricket fans continue to treasure.

Sehwag and Ganguly opened the batting together in the NatWest Trophy final at Lord’s on July 13, 2002. The duo put on 106 runs for the first wicket before the innings collapsed and India found themselves in serious trouble at 146 for five chasing 326. What followed was a dramatic rescue by Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, culminating in a dramatic two-wicket win that set the stage for the unforgettable moment everyone remembers.

“There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who wear shirts. And those who take off their shirt and make history. That day, the whole of India felt it — yes, brother, now we’re in it too. Happy Birthday Dada @SGanguly99. That Lord’s balcony is still open today. #HappyBirthdayDada,” Sehwag wrote on X.

There are two types of logging sites in the world.
He is wearing a shirt. And history is being made by wearing that shirt.
That day poor India felt, yes brother, now we too are here.
Happy Birthday Dada @SGanguly99. That balcony of Lord’s is still open today. #HappyBirthdayDada pic.twitter.com/FzTXxU3JT5

— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 8, 2026

What made Sourav Ganguly’s Lord’s celebration the image of a generation?

England had posted 325 for five at Lord’s that day, anchored by Marcus Trescothick’s 109 and Nasser Hussain’s 115. India seemed finished at 146 for five, but Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif stitched a 121-run sixth-wicket partnership to get them over the line. Kaif finished unbeaten on 87. As the winning runs came in, Ganguly removed his jersey and waved it at the Lord’s balcony — a direct response to Andrew Flintoff’s similar celebration at Wankhede in Mumbai earlier that year.

For Sehwag, the birthday tribute hit close to home. The Najafgarh batsman had opened with Ganguly in that final, scoring 45 as part of that 106-run opening stand, before falling with the chase still very much alive. His message carried the weight of someone who was actually in that dressing room.

How is the cricket world celebrating Sourav Ganguly’s 54th birthday?

As birthday wishes poured in from across cricket, the iconic Lord’s balcony image resurfaced repeatedly. The Prince of Calcutta remains one of the most transformative captains Indian cricket has produced, credited with instilling the fearlessness that later generations carried into victories worldwide. At 54, these tributes prove the legend remains as influential as ever.

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