World Cup Countdown #36 - Eden burns, Kambli cries as India crash out

Seats burned at the Eden Gardens as India crashed out of the 1996 World Cup 

India had been one of the favorites to win the 1996 World Cup. They were playing at home and they were aware of the conditions. Their quarterfinal victory against Pakistan in Bangalore perked up the team and the country's mood and they were dreaming of the final in Lahore. However, Sri Lanka stood in their path and the two clashed in the semi-finals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

On a dry pitch, Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and surprisingly chose to field first. The move was interpreted as defensive by many sections of the media and by former players. Sri Lanka were renowned for their chasing and Azharuddin wanted to negate the advantage by allowing Sri Lanka first use of a pitch that would crumble later.

Sri Lanka lost Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana cheaply but a wonderful 66 off 47 balls from Aravinda de Silva and a solid 58 from Roshan Mahanama helped Sri Lanka recover to 251/8. Sachin Tendulkar led India's response with a glorious 65 and at 97/1, things looked good. However, Tendulkar was stumped down the leg side by Kaluwitharana off Jayasuriya and that led to a procession of wickets. India lost seven wickets for 23 runs and at 120/8 in 34.1 overs, the game looked lost with Vinod Kambli unbeaten on 10.

Looking at India's abject batting, sections of the crowd started throwing bottles on the field and set fire to some seats. The unruly behavior of the crowd did not subside and match referee Clive Lloyd stopped the game and the match was awarded to Sri Lanka by default. Kambli, who was watching from the other end, could not take the news and went off the field crying inconsolably.

Years later, Kambli opened up on the reason why he cried on that day. "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. "It was not only Tendulkar and other cricketers' dream to win the Cup but mine too. Tears roll down my cheek even today."

Footage of Kambli crying at the conclusion of the match is still the lasting image of the World Cup. He soon lost his touch and was dropped from the Indian team after some seasons. Eden Gardens had shamed the cricketing world and Kambli's tears symbolised the pain, disappointment, shame and anguish.