The Eden Gardens Collapse, 1996
The 1996 World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is perhaps the most infamous match in Indian cricket history. Playing against Sri Lanka, India was chasing a target of 252. The chase began promisingly, anchored by a sublime 65 from Sachin Tendulkar.
At 98 for 1, India seemed to be cruising towards the final. But then, Tendulkar was stumped, and what followed was a catastrophic collapse. The batting order crumbled, losing seven wickets for a mere 22 runs to slump to 120 for 8. The capacity crowd, which had been roaring in support, turned its frustration on the field. Bottles were thrown and fires were lit in the stands, forcing the match referee to abandon the game and award it to Sri Lanka by default. The image of a weeping Vinod Kambli walking off the field became a symbol of a nation's heartbreak.
The Unassailable Wall, 2003
The 2003 World Cup in South Africa was a dream run for an Indian team led by Sourav Ganguly. They had overcome every challenge to reach the final, where they faced the mighty, undefeated Australians. The nation was gripped by a frenzy of anticipation, but it quickly turned to despair. Australia, batting first, put up a monstrous total of 359 for 2, with captain Ricky Ponting playing a brutal, unbeaten innings. The target was daunting, and the pressure showed immediately. India’s biggest hope, Sachin Tendulkar, was dismissed in the very first over. The rest of the batting lineup fought valiantly but could never truly recover. India was eventually bowled out for 234, losing the final by a crushing margin of 125 runs. It was a one-sided final that ended a glorious campaign in the most painful way possible.
An Arch-Rival's Triumph, 2017
Any match against Pakistan carries immense weight, but a final in a global tournament is the ultimate showdown. In the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, India entered as the firm favourites, having comfortably beaten Pakistan earlier in the tournament. However, the final was a complete reversal of fortunes. Pakistan, batting first, posted an imposing 338, aided by a crucial no-ball that gave a second life to centurion Fakhar Zaman. In response, India's formidable batting lineup was dismantled by a fiery opening spell from Mohammad Amir. Key batsmen Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli were sent back to the pavilion with the team reeling. India was bundled out for just 158, handing Pakistan a massive 180-run victory—the largest margin in the final of an ICC ODI tournament. The defeat against their arch-rivals on the biggest stage was a bitter pill to swallow for Indian fans.
A Few Centimetres Short, 2019
The 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand was a match defined by fine margins and immense tension. Played over two days due to rain, India was set a modest target of 240. However, on a tricky pitch, the top order collapsed spectacularly, reduced to 5 for 3 at one stage. A gritty partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni resurrected Indian hopes, bringing the equation down to a gettable target in the final overs. With the nation holding its breath, the entire match came down to one moment. Dhoni, pushing for a second run, was run out by a stunning direct hit from Martin Guptill. He was short by mere centimetres. With Dhoni’s departure, India's hopes vanished. The team fell short by 18 runs, ending another dominant World Cup campaign just shy of the finish line. The sight of a dejected Dhoni walking off was, for many, the end of an era.
