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Summary Vinod Kambli has alleged that 1996 World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed.
Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli has alleged that the historic 1996 World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka, which the former lost badly, was fixed.In a TV show, Kambli revealed that the then Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin had first opted to bat after winning the toss but the decision was reversed later.Kambli said he was suspicious of the captain’s decision to field first even though it had been unanimously decided that the team would bat. India had lost the match against the Lankans who shocked the cricketing world by winning the 1996 World Cup.He added that he was the main batsman left on the crease and could not take the spectacle when the Indian batting order crushed like a pack of cards. The cricketer burst into tears as he recalled that he was removed from the team after the game.“I cried because I thought I was robbed of a chance to do it for my country. The entire team hugged me. Most of us were crying, he recalled.” A visibly emotional Kambli went on to clarify that he had never betrayed his country.Batting first Sri Lanka had set a target of 252 for India. In reply, India too started badly as Chamindas Vaas got rid of Navjot Sidhu at the score of 8. However, with genius Sachin Tendulkar in full command at the crease, India hoped for a comfortable entry into the final.However, Sanath Jayasuriya bowled a magical spell and India were reduced from 98/1 to 120/8 that made Kolkata fans go berserk with anger and disappointment. The fanatic cricket buffs set the chairs of Eden Gardens on fire and hurled bottles at the Lankan players in protest against India’s collapse, forcing match referee Clive Llyod to award the match to the visitors.It was one of India’s most heart-breaking defeats in ODI history with cricket pundits attributing the loss to Indian skipper Azharuddin for inviting Sri Lanka to bat.Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja, both serving ban by the ICC for match fixing, were out for duck in the match.Very few can forget the tears of Kambli after Sri Lanka was declared the winner. Kambli stayed unbeaten at 10 in the match.
