IND vs SL World Cup Semifinal 1996:
In the rich history of Indian cricket, this day 28 years ago remains unforgettable for both legends and fans. It was March 13, 1996, a day marked by infamy. India and Sri Lanka clashed in the World Cup semifinal.
The mention of this match played at Kolkata's Eden Gardens still brings to mind the unhappy fans and Vinod Kambli in tears. While the Indian batting crumbled, the spectators became belligerent, leading to the match being awarded to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Set a Target of 252 Runs in the Semifinal
That year marked India hosting the prestigious One Day World Cup. Under Mohammad Azharuddin’s captaincy, India put up a strong performance to secure a place in the semifinals.
Unfortunately, they were soundly defeated by Sri Lanka in the semis. The iconic game was staged at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on March 13. Despite winning the toss, India experienced a significant loss.
Source: aajtak
Batting first, Arjuna Ranatunga’s Sri Lankan side posted a total of 251 for 8. Aravinda de Silva played a crucial inning of 66 runs, while Javagal Srinath took three wickets and Sachin Tendulkar claimed two. The nightmare unfolded in the second innings.
Indian Batting Crumbled Like a House of Cards
Chasing 252, India was at a promising 98 for 1 at one point, but the dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar triggered a disastrous collapse. They slumped to 120 for 8.
In the 35th over, with 156 balls remaining and 132 runs needed, the task seemed daunting. Vinod Kambli was on 10, and Anil Kumble hadn’t opened his account. The crowd turned unruly, throwing bottles and committing arson in the stands.
This forced the match to be suspended, and referee Clive Lloyd declared Sri Lanka the winners. The weeping Kambli on the field became an iconic image, his tears etched in the annals of the game. The match at Eden Gardens is now remembered for the chaos, bottle throwing, and fans setting fire to the stands.
Source: aajtak
The tragic turn of events in one of cricket’s grandest stages left a lasting impression on every cricket enthusiast who witnessed those moments.
