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. The tournament was sponsored by and named after Titan Industries.
Contents
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.
South Africa
The South African coaching staff was headed by Bob Woolmer.
Australia
India
The team coach was Madan Lal. Debutants included Karnataka opening batsman Sujith Somasunder and Tamil Nadu all-rounder Robin Singh.
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. 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. 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.
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.