Cricket's greatest comebacks: India vs Australia, Titan Cup '96 - Bangalore boys join the party

At this point, a large number of fans switched off their TV sets, as they were wont to do whenever the Little Master was dismissed. Almost everyone believed that the game was finished, with India tottering at 164/8 and two bowlers at the crease.

Anil Kumble, affectionately nicknamed Jumbo, didn’t think so.

He kept on encouraging his state-mate Srinath – knocking some sense into the temperamental player who, till that point, was swinging and missing too many deliveries. Coaxed and cajoled by the leg-spinner, the seamer decided to curb his useless flailing and try to make a charge at the target.

And it worked like a charm.

Srinath struck a couple of calculated blows; the highlight of his innings was a glorious straight six off the grumpy elder Waugh. Kumble kept rotating the strike, exhorting his partner to play out each over calmly. In between, the lion-hearted leg-spinner managed to score a boundary himself.

The Bangalore boys rounded off the win in the 49th over when Kumble turned a Gillespie delivery past mid-wicket for two runs. Hysteria swept through the stadium as the entire Blue squad rushed out on the field to celebrate with the unlikely heroes. Australia had been subjected to their second defeat in two days – a defeat that was scripted by the enterprising ninth-wicket stand between two bowlers.

Srinath finished on an unbeaten 30 from 23 balls, while Kumble chipped in with a 19-ball 16. They knocked off the required 52 runs in just 40 deliveries.

This successful run-chase had a significant impact on the team’s fortunes. Although they suffered a losing streak against the Proteas, the Indians went on to win the tournament and ensured that the Titan Cup did not leave the country. In the context of the series, this game showed that India could pull off successful run-chases.

All in all – another glittering entry in the annals of cricket!