Rohit Sharma recalls 2002 NatWest Final, backs 'Doosra' film trailer
Synopsis
Rohit Sharma was just 15 when India pulled off the 2002 NatWest miracle at Lord's — and now he's among the voices backing 'Doosra', a film that uses Sourav Ganguly's iconic shirt-wave as the lens for a young woman's personal liberation. With the film releasing on 23 October, director Abhinay Deo is pitching it not as a cricket drama but as India's 'new freedom story'.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Sharma praised the trailer of 'Doosra' , recalling he was 15 when India won the 2002 NatWest Series final .
The film is directed by Abhinay Deo and releases in theatres on 23 October .
It connects India's famous Lord's victory with the personal journey of a fictional character named Tara .
Director Abhinay Deo describes it as India's 'emotional freedom story', referencing Sourav Ganguly's iconic shirt-wave moment.
The film stars Plabita Borthakur , Ankur Vikal , Samidha Guru , Tvisha Seema , and Krishna Gokani ; produced by Masha Sajdeh and Rohan Sajdeh .
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has revisited one of cricket's most celebrated comebacks — India's triumph in the 2002 NatWest Series final — while endorsing the trailer of the upcoming Hindi film 'Doosra', directed by Abhinay Deo and set for theatrical release on 23 October. Rohit said the victory was about far more than the result on the scoreboard.
Rohit Sharma's Reaction
'I was 15 when India won the 2002 NatWest Final…what a moment! Not only the comeback but the team's confidence!' Rohit said. 'The film Doosra beautifully captures why the moment was more than just winning a match. Just saw the trailer and looking forward to watching the film.'
Rohit's praise reflects a wider sentiment shared by those who experienced the famous Lord's victory — a match in which India chased down a target of 326 after being reduced to 146 for 5, with Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh completing one of cricket's great chases. The image of then-captain Sourav Ganguly waving his shirt from the Lord's balcony became an enduring symbol of a new, assertive India.
The Film's Themes
Director Abhinay Deo described 'Doosra' as a story that goes well beyond sport. 'Doosra is ultimately an uplifting story about a country finding its voice and a young girl finding hers. At its core, it is India's new freedom story, not the political freedom of 1947, but rather an emotional freedom,' he said. 'That day, Sourav didn't just take off a cricket t-shirt; he shed the yoke of colonialism that India had shouldered for so many years after Independence. That day, a young girl in a small town in India proved that deep within each of us, lies a desire to live a free and fulfilling life.'
The film weaves the 2002 NatWest Final into the personal journey of a fictional character named Tara, a young woman raised in a conservative household who finds her own sense of identity against the backdrop of that landmark cricket moment. It stars Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema, and Krishna Gokani.
Other Voices Behind the Project
Veteran cricketer Anil also praised the trailer, saying, 'I loved the trailer and how Abhinay has managed to blend two different worlds — reality and fiction — seamlessly. I still remember the euphoria of the iconic win at the NatWest Series, that was truly unprecedented. It gave an entire generation the belief that India could win anywhere, against anyone. I'm really looking forward to watching the film.'
Producer Masha Sajdeh said the team hoped audiences would be 'entertained, moved, and inspired to question long-held conventions.' The film is produced by Masha Sajdeh and Rohan Sajdeh, with Neeta Shah as co-producer.
Release and What to Expect
The makers unveiled the film's poster and trailer alongside the theatrical release date announcement. 'Doosra' arrives in cinemas on 23 October. This comes amid a wave of cricket-inspired Indian cinema that has drawn on the nation's relationship with the sport as a mirror of its post-colonial identity — a trend the film's creative team appears to be consciously engaging with.
Point of View
And 'Doosra' is betting that Ganguly's Lord's moment carries the same charge in 2026 as it did in 2002. The more interesting claim, though, is director Abhinay Deo's — that the shirt-wave was an act of post-colonial assertion rather than mere sporting exuberance. Whether that reading lands with audiences will depend on the execution; films that overburden a sports moment with political metaphor can feel forced. Rohit Sharma's endorsement buys goodwill from the cricket audience, but the film's actual test is whether its fictional protagonist, Tara, is compelling enough to carry the weight that the narrative has placed on her shoulders.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'Doosra' about?
'Doosra' is a Hindi film set against India's famous victory over England in the 2002 NatWest Series final at Lord's. It connects that historic cricket moment — including Sourav Ganguly's iconic shirt-wave — with the personal journey of a young woman named Tara growing up in a conservative family.
When does 'Doosra' release in cinemas?
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on 23 October. The makers announced the date alongside the unveiling of its poster and trailer.
What did Rohit Sharma say about the 2002 NatWest Final and 'Doosra'?
Rohit Sharma said he was 15 when India won the 2002 NatWest Final and described the victory as being about far more than cricket. He praised the 'Doosra' trailer, saying the film 'beautifully captures why the moment was more than just winning a match.'
Who directed and stars in 'Doosra'?
'Doosra' is directed by Abhinay Deo and produced by Masha Sajdeh and Rohan Sajdeh. The film stars Plabita Borthakur, Ankur Vikal, Samidha Guru, Tvisha Seema, and Krishna Gokani.
Why does director Abhinay Deo call 'Doosra' India's new freedom story?
Abhinay Deo has described the film as representing an 'emotional freedom' distinct from the political freedom of 1947. He argues that Ganguly's shirt-wave at Lord's symbolised shedding the yoke of colonialism, and that the film uses that moment to explore a young woman's desire for a 'free and fulfilling life'.
