Vinod Kambli Adds New Spark with Fixing Claims to 1996 World Cup Semi Finals

It has just been a few days that Paul Cordon, former chief of ICC anti corruption unit made staggering claims that many matches in the late 90’s were fixed. Now comes another claim from the former Indian batsman Vinod Kambli. During a post match show with STAR NEWS Kambli claimed that some of the incidences during the World Cup 1996 semi finals were dubious to tell the least.

Vinod Kambli Weeping After Semi Final Loss to Sri Lanka

This was the very match where Sanath Jayasuriya became a hero with his fast left arm spin. He turned the ball square and the Indian batsmen had to answer for the turn. Even the little master Sachin Tendulkar seemed all at sea. Eden Gardens could not bear the sight and fans started throwing bottles on the ground after the eighth Indian wicket fell. Players made their way to the dressing room for the crowd to calm down, when they came out again there was similar sights and the match referee Clive Llyod awarded the match to Sri Lanka, who later went on to become the World Champions.

Players Walk Off after Crowd Disturbance

According Vinod Kambli many key plots were missing in the story. When the team had conducted primary inspection of the pitch they knew that the Eden Gardens pitch was under prepared and could offer great assistance to the spinners in the second innings. So it was decided in the team meeting that India would bat if they won the toss. Many players even hurried into the changing room to get padded up after they got news that Mohammad Azharuddin had won the toss. But to their dismay the Indian captain had elected to field rather than batting first.

India's Last hope Sachin Tendulkar gets Out to a Turner from Jayasuriya

Though the team made a good start with the ball and picked up initial Sri Lankan wickets but Aravinda De Silva helped by Roshan Mahanama and Hashan Tillekratne guided Sri Lanka to a good score. Even before the chase had started Indians knew they were in for a tough challenge. And soon the turning ball accounted for many wickets. Kambli was seen weeping with some other Indian players at the end of the match. This match literally ended Vinod Kambli’s international career. Even Ajit Wadekar, Indian team manager during the World Cup 1996 acknowledged that Kambli had been made a scapegoat for others mistakes.

Mohammad Azharuddin's decision to field was controversial to tell the least

Azharuddin’s decision ended the dreams of India winning a World Cup and if Kambli’s account is correct there are many questions that he needs to answer.