On This Day in Cricket History: India vs Sri Lanka ODI Abandoned After Just 18 Balls

Indore, December 25: On this day in 1997, an unusual incident unfolded in Indian cricket history when the ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Indore was abandoned after only 18 balls. Despite the match having started and the toss completed, the game was called off due to a dangerous pitch, marking the first time in international cricket that a match was canceled for this reason. The decision led to such an uproar that legal action was filed against both captains.

Packed Stadium on Christmas Day
The second match of the three-match ODI series was scheduled on Christmas, and the stadium was packed with nearly 25,000 spectators. India had comfortably won the first match in Guwahati and both teams had traveled nearly 500 kilometers to Indore, with fans expecting an exciting contest.

Pitch Controversy and Initial Debate
India had requested a bouncy wicket to control the Sri Lankan batsmen, but curator Narendra Menon prepared a traditional dry pitch with visible cracks. After discussions between India’s management and Menon, a new pitch was rolled and watered while the Sri Lankan team arrived. The Sri Lankans raised objections, and match referee Ahmed Ibrahim initially directed that the game proceed on the first pitch.

Match Begins but the Pitch Proves Dangerous
Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping the pitch would aid spinners, reminiscent of the 1996 World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens. As the match began, India’s fast bowler Javagal Srinath delivered the first overs. Media reports noted that the balls behaved unpredictably, bouncing erratically. On the third over, balls rose sharply or dipped dangerously, leaving batsmen and even wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia at risk. Sri Lankan batsmen eventually complained to the umpires.

Match Abandoned After One Hour of Debate
After nearly an hour of deliberation involving both captains and match officials, the referee declared the pitch unsafe, and the match was abandoned. Local authorities and the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association opposed the decision, arguing the pitch was playable. To calm the crowd, a 25-over exhibition match was arranged on a different pitch, which the captains reluctantly accepted.

Legal Action Against Captains
Following the abandonment, a local lawyer filed a petition seeking the arrest of Ranatunga, Tendulkar, and referee Ibrahim, claiming their actions deprived fans of their right to watch the match. BCCI sent Kapil Dev to inspect the pitch and assess the situation.

History Repeats
A similar incident occurred 12 years later at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, during an India vs Sri Lanka ODI, when the match had to be abandoned after 12.2 overs due to a dangerous pitch that injured Sri Lankan batsmen.

This incident remains a remarkable episode in cricket history, highlighting the rare circumstances under which a game was abandoned after it had officially begun.