On Saturday, 13th of March 2021 was the 25th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable 1996 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup (50-over) semi-final win over India at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta (now Kolkata). The match, watched by over 100,000 at the grounds, is often considered one of the most memorable games of Sri Lanka’s cricket history. The match is also remembered often for Aravinda de Silva’s fighting 47-ball 66, the maestro’s one of the best back-to-the-wall knocks …… after Sri Lanka had lost their dashing openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana in the first over of the innings, and soon afterwards, their third –Asanka Gurusinha– against the bowling of Javagal SrinathThen the painstaking fifty made by Roshan Mahanama consolidating Sri Lanka …… and Sri Lanka’s remarkable rearguard action which led them to a decent 251/8 in their 50 overs on an unknown yet crumbling pitch. Sachin Tendulkar’s 65 runs in the Indian reply and his dismissal owing to a stumping by wicket-keeper Kaluwitharana …… that triggered the Indian slide — the sudden turnaround stunned India who lost eight wickets for 120 runs in 34.1 overs. Then the Calcutta crowd unrest, bottles thrown onto the field, some stands being set on fire …… leaving Match Referee Clive Lloyds with no other option but to forfeit the match, and a spot in the World Cup final, to Sri Lanka.

Source: The Nation March 13, 2021 21:33 UTC