OTD | Sri Lanka qualified for World Cup final ‘by default’ after the crowd set fire in the stadium in Calcutta in 1996

The ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 first semi-finals were marred by hostile spectators at the Mecca of Indian cricket in the City of Joy- Kolkata. The Indian team came into the semi-finals after thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling fixture at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru. The Men in Blue were about to face an in-form Sri Lankan inside who won a previous league encounter against the hosts.

Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss in front of a sold-out 1 lakh spectators in attendance and decided to bowl first. He expected the pitch to be spin-friendly and hence wanted to chase in the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka faltered early in their innings as their openers, Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, went back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Sri Lanka was reduced to 35 runs for the loss of three wickets. However, Sri Lanka’s batting pillar, Aravinda De Silva, steadied the ship for the Lankans as he clung onto one of the ends and made 66 runs. Contributions from Roshan Mahanama (55 runs) and Arjun Ranataunga (35 runs) helped Sri Lanka reach a target of 251 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. 

India’s reply didn’t begin on a promising note with opener Navjot Singh Sidhu departing cheaply. However, the little master Sachin Tendulkar continued on his rampage as he scored a quickfire 65 runs and weaved a partnership of 98 runs with Sanjay Manjrekar.

However, fortunes turned when Sanath Jayasuriya got Sachin stumped out triggering a batting collapse. India lost 6 wickets in the space of just 22 runs. The Indian batting order fell like a pack of nine pins against the spinning duo of Sanath Jayasurya and Kumar Dharmasena. 

As Indian batsmen faltered, the crowd lost its cool and started raining plastic bottles and edibles on the pitch. Reports claimed that even glass bottles were thrown in an attempt to injure players. Ranatunga marched his side out of the ground. Although Sri Lanka came back to the field, the match ended abruptly as more bottles were thrown to the ground. Several sections of the stadium were even put on fire and the officials had to call off the fixture. Indian batsman Vinod Kambli was seen leaving the field in tears in strict security.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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