Epic Encounter in 1996 Wills World Cup one day international tournament of the 1st Semi-final ODI match played between India and Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 13th March 1996.
India Captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss Invited to Sri Lanka batted first - Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya Straightway that off the mark with single off Javagal Srinath bowling.
Sri Lanka Wicket keeper batsmen and Opener Romesh Kaluwitharana has been caught out by Sanjay Manjrekar at third man, Javagal Srinath strike first wicket for India in the 2nd ball of first over in the match.
In the same over Sanath Jayasuriya caught out by Venkatesh Prasad at third man, Sri Lanka lost their opener wickets in 4th ball of the first over, Sri Lanka two players most feared in World Cricket are back into pavilion, Sri Lanka down two wickets and just single run on the board.
Aravinda de Silva recovering the scoreboard with boundaries - who was hit the three boundaries in an over against Venkatesh Prasad.
Sri Lanka losing their third wicket in the seventh over with Asanka Gurusinghe, He was caught out by Anil Kumble at mid-on, Aravinda de Silva looking very dangerous, He was smashing beautiful shots around the corner of the ground.
Aravinda de Silva brings up his splendid half century, this is very important innings for Sri Lanka, Aravinda de Silva - who was played great Innings for Sri Lanka in semis, He was bowled out with inside edge ball hits middle stamp flying flat off beautiful delivery by Anil Kumble in the 14th over, He was scored a 66 off 47 deliveries including 14 fabulous boundaries.
After Aravinda de Silva exit, Roshan Mahanama played lovely innings with Arjuna Ranatunga - who was scored a crusial 35 runs off 43 deliveries.
Sachin Tendulkar - who was take the Sri Lankan captain wicket with lbw, Roshan Mahanama played important innings for Sri Lanka, he was retired hurt with scored a 58 off consumed 101 deliveries with six boundaries.
Hashan Tilakeratne contributed brilliant 32 and Chaminda Vaas added important 23 runs helped to Sri Lanka set up respectable total of 251 for 8 wickets in 50 overs.
Sachin Tendulkar - who was take the Sri Lankan captain wicket with lbw, Roshan Mahanama played important innings for Sri Lanka, he was retired hurt with scored a 58 off consumed 101 deliveries with six boundaries.
Hashan Tilakeratne contributed brilliant 32 and Chaminda Vaas added important 23 runs helped to Sri Lanka set up respectable total of 251 for 8 wickets in 50 overs.
While India chasing 252, India opener Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Singh Sidhu not started well, Sidhu got out for 3 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar played brilliant innings, He was finding gaps easily and ball hammering to boundary, Unluckily Sachin Tendulkar stump out for 65 off 88 deliveries including 9 lovely fours, This is vital wicket for India and crowd stunned to Tendulkar's wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar played brilliant innings, He was finding gaps easily and ball hammering to boundary, Unluckily Sachin Tendulkar stump out for 65 off 88 deliveries including 9 lovely fours, This is vital wicket for India and crowd stunned to Tendulkar's wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar and Sanjay Manjrekar added 90-run stand for second wicket partnership but unfortunately after Sachin Tendulkar wicket India lost six quick wickets including Mohammad Azharuddin caught and bowl by Kumara Dharmasena.
Then India's no one batsmen settled to fight the big score chase, except Vinod Kambli not out 10 runs at this stage India 120 for 8 wickets lost.
India's disappointed cricket fans threw rocks and bottles, set fires and stormed the field in this match, forcing a World Cup semifinal match between and Sri Lanka to be called off.
The crowd of 1,10,000 at Eden Gardens in Calcutta became engaged over Sri Lanka's dominance of Indian batsmen.
India was restricted to 120 for eight wickets when match referee Clive Lloyd stopped the contest after 34.1 overs and sent the players to the dressing rooms because of the Irat crowd.
India was restricted to 120 for eight wickets when match referee Clive Lloyd stopped the contest after 34.1 overs and sent the players to the dressing rooms because of the Irat crowd.
Police were needed to clear the field and fires burner in the stands and outside the stadium, The players returned after a 20 minutes delay, But fans continued to throw objects on to the field, Prompting Clive Lloyd to award the Victory to Sri Lanka by default.
Players were stranded at the stadium for about 45 minutes as thousands of fans crowded the route to their hotels, Police used batons to disperse the crowd and detained at least 50 people.
Clive Lloyd said " I have no problem in awarding the game to Sri Lanka, I am very disappointed with the crowd behaviour ".
Angry fans burned an effigy of India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and set a fire posters and banners hailing cricket heroes and the World Cup.
Sri Lanka reached the final for the first time in its history and will face the winner of second finalist on 17th March.
The default was the first time a match had to be abandoned in the quadrennial event since it was first held in England in 1975.
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