Titan Cup
The Titan Cup was a triangular one-day international cricket tournament held in India between 17 October and 6 November, 1996. It involved the national cricket teams of South Africa, Australia and India. Although South Africa had won all its round-robin matches, it lost in the final to India.[1] The tournament was sponsored by and named after Titan Industries.
Background
The Titan Cup was held after the inaugural Border-Gavaskar Trophy test match between India and Australia in New Delhi, which was won by India, and served as the commencement of South Africa's 1996-97 tour of India. Having won the 1996 Pepsi Sharjah Cup and five out of their six matches in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, South Africa were considered favourites in the competition. Australia, the runners-up in the 1996 World Cup, were considered second favourites. India, not having won any ODI competitions in 1996, had seen the team captaincy change hands from veteran Mohammad Azharuddin to the then 23-year-old star batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
Squads
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The South Africa coaching staff was headed by Bob Woolmer. The India team coach was Madan Lal. Debutants included Karnataka opening batsman Sujith Somasunder and Tamil Nadu all-rounder Robin Singh. The squad for their first three games was announced on 13 October 1996.[2]
Results
South Africa won all their round-robin matches against India and Australia. Australia did not win any of their matches, losing two of their encounters against India.[1] In third match,Anil Kumble along with Javagal Srinath helped India to win scintiallating ODI match against Australia in Bangalore.The duo added 52 runs for 9th wicket partnership,after Sachin Tendulkar got out at 88 when India was 164/8,chasing a target of 216 runs.[3][4] The India-Australia match in Cuttack was abandoned due to rain, resulting in both teams getting one point each. India qualified for the final against South Africa on the strength of their two round-robin victories against Australia.
| Team | P | W | L | T | NR | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0.478 | 12 |
|
6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | –0.289 | 5 |
|
6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | –0.296 | 1 |
17 October Scorecard |
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- South Africa won the toss and chose to bat.
- Sujith Somasunder (Ind) made his ODI debut.
- Mohammad Azharuddin beat Kapil Dev's record for most ODIs played for India (225).[6]
25 October Scorecard |
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- Australia won the toss and chose to bat.
- Adam Gilchrist (Aus) made his ODI debut.
Final
Records and awards
India's Titan Cup win was its first ODI tournament victory in 1996, as well as the first under captain Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was the lead run-scorer in the tournament, with 320 runs in 6 innings. With 17 wickets, Allan Donald of South Africa won the player of the series award.
References
- 1 2 "Wisden - Titan Cup, 1996-97". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
- ↑ "Ankola back in squad for Titan Cup". The Indian Express. 14 October 1996. Archived from the original on 24 April 1997. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
- ↑ "Titan Cup - 3rd match-India v Australia-Scorecard-21 October 1996". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ↑ "Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble seal thrilling win in nervous run-chase against Australia in Titan Cup 1996". Cricket Country. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ Result Summary - Points Table
- ↑ "Azhar betters Kapil's mark". The Indian Express. 18 October 1996. Archived from the original on 24 April 1997. Retrieved 13 October 2018.