IND vs ENG: When Ashish Nehra hit Andrew Flintoff for a Massive 6 at Lord's, Dressing Room went Wild despite India's Defeat!

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India will be up against England in the 3rd Test of the five-match series which starts from Thursday (July 10) at the iconic Lord's.

After losing at Headingley, India rallied back in fantastic fashion at Edgbaston and now will be aiming to take a lead in the series.

Although India have a modest record at Lord's, they won here in 2021 and will be hoping to replicate that under the new captain Shubman Gill. In the chronicles of Test cricket between these two nations, there have been many glorious moments. Sourav Ganguly scored his debut Test century at Lord's, while Isant Sharma bowled a dream spell in 2014. But one moment which probably put a laugh in the face of all India fans is an incident which happened in 2002.

In the summer of 2002, during the opening Test of the India-England series at Lord's, a moment unfolded that remains etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans, not for its impact on the match, but for its sheer audacity and the joy it sparked among teammates. Ashish Nehra, known more for his left-arm pace than his batting, stunned everyone by launching Andrew Flintoff for a massive six over the leg side, sending the ball deep into the stands at the Home of Cricket.

India, under Sourav Ganguly, were in a phase of rebuilding and had already made waves by winning the NatWest Trophy earlier that summer. However, the first Test at Lord's saw them chasing a daunting 568 in the fourth innings. While Ajit Agarkar's maiden Test century was the highlight, it was Nehra's unlikely heroics with the bat that provided a lighter, unforgettable moment.

IND vs ENG: Ashish Nehra hit Andrew Flintoff for a Gigantic 6 at Lord's!

Coming in with India at 334-9, Nehra's initial role was to support Agarkar as he approached his hundred. Once Agarkar reached the milestone, Nehra decided to throw caution to the wind. On seeing an opportunity, he swung hard at a delivery from Flintoff and connected perfectly. The ball soared over the boundary, leaving both the crowd and the Indian dressing room in disbelief and delight. The entire Indian team, including VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh, erupted in laughter and celebration on the Lord's balcony, as if India had won the Test itself.

Nehra later recounted the moment with humor at a programme named Breakfast with Champions, saying, "The longest six I hit in Tests was off Flintoff's bowling at Lord's in 2002. As soon as Agarkar completed his ton, I told him to let me have a go. I swung the bat, and to Flintoff's misfortune, the ball connected and went out of the ground. The team was laughing in the balcony as if we had won the match".

Though India lost the Test, Nehra's 19 runs off 54 balls, capped by that memorable six, became a cherished anecdote-proof that cricket's magic often lies in its most unexpected moments.