Xtra Time Web Desk: A tearful Vinod Kambli walking off the Eden Gardens during the 1996 World Cup semi final between India and Sri Lanka is still fresh in the minds of fans. India was totally outplayed by a brilliant Sri Lankan side in the semi-final at Eden Gardens. The crowd could not digest the disappointment and resorted to unruly behavior, bringing the match to an abrupt halt. It was a disgraceful act of hooliganism from the spectators that led to match-referee Clive Lloyd awarding the match to the Lankans by default.
The day which started with expectations ended in a tale of untold disgrace.The spirit of the entire nation was high following India’s emphatic win over arch rivals Pakistan at Chinnaswamy stadium in the quarter finals.The crowd had swarmed into the magnificent amphitheatre, teeming in tens of thousands, intoxicated with expectation of reaching the final of a World Cup after 1983. The sweltering heat of the March afternoon had been enhanced by a searing first over. Javagal Srinath gave the hosts a perfect start, removing both the dangerous openers Romesh Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya. And then the story deviated from script. The Sri Lankans made a terrific fightback with Aravinda de Silva leading the way. The Mad Max scoring 66 off 47 balls as the islanders posted 251/8.
India pinned their hopes on Sachin Tendulkar. The master blaster played a valiant knock of 65 runs, holding forte at one end until he was undone by Jayasuriya delivery missing the line and getting stumped. In the evening, when wickets fell in a tearing hurry, the plot was completely lost.
As darkness spread across the skies, shadows loomed over the big dreams. The World Cup prospects vanished through the cracks formed on the pitch. The wings of fancy were trapped in the turning web woven by four Lankan spinners. The hopes plummeted to the ground, with the spectators out of disappointment and anger showered bottles on the ground that brought a memorable match to a deplorable end.
The ‘sport-loving’ spectators at Eden Gardens could not digest the fact that the better team had won. Rage flared in flames as parts of the seating were set on fire. It was neither the first nor the last time that the Eden crowd would bring shame to the city and nation. But, it was the only time they left their murky signature on the result of the game.
Match referee Clive Lloyd made an attempt to restart the game, but by then the sport on display had ceased to resemble cricket, with hundreds of participants vying to send missiles into the arena. The West Indian legend awarded the match to Sri Lanka by default.
A solitary placard in the stands proclaimed, “Congratulation Sri Lanka, we’re sorry.”