5 worst defeats for India in ODIs

#2 Loss by default to Sri Lanka in World Cup semi-final at Kolkata, 1996

Tendulkar is stumped

This one remains an embarrassing event for Indian cricket for two reasons. Firstly, India’s incredible meltdown on a wearing pitch chasing 252 remains a dark chapter to this day and secondly, the crowd trouble at Eden Gardens made it worse. India probably decided to bowl first due to the fact that Sri Lanka had chased down a total in excess of 270 (huge score in those days) against them in the group stage and they had a dream start. Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana were gone with 1 run on the board. However, Aravinda de Silva launched a ferocious counterattack and Sri Lanka eventually made 251.

India lost opener, Navjot Sidhu, early but Sachin Tendulkar looked in brilliant form and along with Sanjay Manjrekar took the score to 98 for 1. India were well placed but then Tendulkar was stumped and the collapse began. From 98 for 1, India slumped to 120 for 8 as the pitch broke up and the spinners became unplayable. Crowd trouble meant that the match was abandoned and India ended up a World Cup semi-final at home.