#OTD in 1999 | Zimbabwe secured thrilling victory over India in WC; defended 7 off last two overs

On this day, the Zimbabwe team registered a victory by three runs against India in the 1999 ODI World Cup. It has remained to be their only win in World Cup history against India. 

Prior to this fixture, both the teams were fierce competitors in the Coca Cola Champions Trophy in the latter half of 1998, with Sri Lanka as the third team. In the tournament, both the teams won one match against each other, and the finals saw India comprehensively beating Zimbabwe. 

In the 1999 World Cup group fixture, India were coming after a loss to South Africa, and Zimbabwe was confident after beating Kenya. After the Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss; he chose to field first as the opponents had won the first game chasing down the score, while it was vice-versa for them. 

Zimbabwe had an average start, with opener Neil Johnson perishing early in the third over by nicking off Javagal Srinath. The likes of Paul Strang (18) and Murray Goodwin (17) were average with their performances. However, the partnership between Grant Flower (45) and Andy Flower (68*) put the team back on track. Along with the Andy brothers, the contributions of Alistair Campbell (24) and Heath Streak (14) helped the team post 252. 

Meanwhile, among the Indian bowlers, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, and Venkatesh Prasad picked up two wickets each. Although it was just a par total on board, it was a dismal effort by the Indians to concede a total of 51 extras - comprising 21 wides, 16 no-balls, and 14 leg-byes - the highest-ever extras lent by India. 

It wasn’t just it. India’s best bet, i.e. The Great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, didn’t play this particular fixture. But, on the eve of this game, ‘Master Blaster’ got to know of the demise of his father and flew back to India for the funeral. 

In place of Tendulkar, Sadagoppan Ramesh was slotted into the XI and played his first-ever World Cup match. And when Sourav Ganguly was dismissed for 9, Ramesh did well to steer the team cautiously, but he could not find support from other batters. 

With Rahul Dravid (13) and Mohammad Azharuddin (7) falling in quick succession, the charismatic Ajay Jadeja arrived at the crease with the team stuttering at 56/3 at the end of 9 overs. 

Unlike his aggressive hitting, Jadeja played according to the situation and stitched a terrific stand of 99 runs with Ramesh. Then, however, the younger Grant took a critical wicket and sent Ramesh packing. A few overs later, Jadeja was adjudged LBW off Heath Streak before Men in Blue suffered another mini-collapse. 

Thereafter, Robin Singh and Nayan Mongia did try to take India home with a stand of 44 runs, which certainly helped the team’s cause.

With 7 needed off two overs and three wickets left, captain Alistair Campbell trusted the abilities of his key bowler, Henry Olonga, who had a good track record against India. 

Olonga made Singh caught at silly mid-off area. Srinath was then clean-bowled on the fifth ball of the over. And the Zimbabwean pacer displayed his fantastic accuracy to take Venkatesh leg before wicket. 

The entire Zimbabwean team ushered in the joy of a thrilling victory by three runs. 

With three wickets in a single over, Olonga turned the match upside down to stage one of the brilliant comebacks in ODI history. The all-rounder Grant Flower was named as Player of the Match for his contribution both with bat and ball.