Diwai season and the thrill is on peak! Azharuddin, the captain, and Pravin Amre both scored 90, and India was bowled out for 195. India needed a miracle to defeat the formidable South Africans with 195 on board. The match was decided by three runouts, which is truly a miracle. The South Africans scored 7 runs in the 49th over with 13 needed in just two overs, but they were defeated. After a run-out, David Richardson returned to the pavilion.
With two wickets in hand, South Africa needed six runs in the final over, but Kapil Dev hesitated to bowl it. Azhar gave the ball to a young Sachin Tendulkar, who then bowled the last over. Allan Donald faced Tendulkar after the first ball resulted in a single, but the Master Blaster’s bowling masterclass resulted in dots on the second, third, and fourth pitches. Again, following a single, McMillan was unable to get four runs off the final ball, and India went on to win by three runs. The heroics Sachin performed with the ball during the 1993 Diwali will live in infamy.
It now seems odd that Eden Gardens permitted the game to end. According to recent evidence, the night was about to end with South Africa needing just 13 runs from the final two overs. However, the scum of Eden Gardens would have ended it sooner by setting their seats on fire. However, those were the times that that field hosted the final over.
When India batted first, they only managed a meager total, with skipper Azharuddin making it appear relatively straightforward. As usual, his wrists made the cricket bat appear lighter than what the law would allow. It was clear by the close of the Indian innings that only pure drama could secure a home triumph.
By the close of the Indian innings, it was clear South Africa made every effort to deliver that. A team that fielded like sportsmen rather than middle-class fathers, probably for the first time in its long history, ran out three of its batters. Stranger still, manager Ajit Wadekar recalls that Indian fielding was following a plan: “To confine them with a strong off-side field, I instructed the bowlers to bowl an off-stump line. It was intended to irritate South Africans.”
They messed up an easy target, so it appeared to be effective. Of all things, a mongoose invaded the area to allow the paranormal to make things worse for South Africa. Wadekar recalls, “That was a good omen. “The proceedings proceeded to steadily turn India’s favour after the streaker was taken out. However, in the 46th over, Brian McMillan punished Srinath for 14 runs, as was just fair.
