Vinod Kambli's shocking claim; 1996 World Cup semi-final was fixed

New Delhi: 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 Star News TV show, Kambli said he was suspicious of the then captain Md Azharuddin’s decision to field first even though batting was the norm after winning the toss in those days.

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 very 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. “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.

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In pic: Young Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli during their school days

The south-paw knew that this moment would come soon and what better situation than to help India recover from rough waters.

“It is the best Christmas gift I got from Sachin. Immediately after he reached the milestone I left for Church to thank God. I have been praying for this moment for a long time,” said Kambli.

“It’s difficult to express my feelings in words. I knew that this was coming. He missed out during the New Zealand series. But I was confident that he would not lose this opportunity against South Africa especially when the situation was so difficult. He did a great job to pull India out from rough waters,” he added.

The 38-year-old, however, finds it difficult to pick his favourite Tendulkar innings. “I have seen each and every century of his. Hence, it is not easy to choose his best century innings.” –DNA INDIA