India’s third Asia Cup win came in the 1990-91 edition held in India. This was India’ second consecutive Asia Cup triumph following the victory in 1988 and their third overall. Only three teams took part in the event after Pakistan pulled out following their strained relations with the host nation. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh thus featured in a round-robin event, with each team playing the other once.
India took on Bangladesh in the first match at Chandigarh. Bangladesh won the toss and batted first, but were restricted to 170 for 6 in their 50 overs. Faruk Ahmed top scored for the batting side with 57 while Athar Ali Khan made 44. From India’s side, Kapil Dev and Venkatapathy Raju claimed two wickets each. In response, India romped home victory as opener Navjot Sidhu blasted an unbeaten 104 from 109 balls with 10 fours and three sixes. WV Raman made a patient 44 as the openers added 121 for the first wicket. India won the contest by nine wickets.
India faced Sri Lanka in the second game. The Lankans opted to bat after winning the toss. The Indian bowlers were again in prime form, and restricted the batting side to 214 all out. Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga top scored for the Lankans with 53 while Asanka Gurusinha contributed a quick 34. Kapil Dev and Atul Wassan were India’s most successful bowlers, with three wickets each. India were poor in reply succumbing to 178 all out. The in-form Sidhu fell for 25, after which only Mohammed Azharuddin (40) and Kapil Dev (32) showed any kind of resistance. There were a few other 20s, but India failed to get close to Lanka’s score. Rumesh Ratnayake starred for Lanka with the ball, with figures of 3 for 24.
India and Sri Lanka progressed to the final at Eden Gardens. Sri Lanka were put into bat after losing the toss and compiled 204 for 9 in 45 overs. Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga again top scored for the batting side with 49 before being run out while Asanka Gurusinha made 39 before he too was run out. The rest couldn’t make much of an impact. Kapil Dev was India’s most successful bowler with 4 for 31.
Chasing 205 for victory, India got off to a shaky start, with Sidhu and Ravi Shastri falling early. Sanjay Manjrekar then guided the Indian chase, remaining unbeaten on 75 from 95 balls. He was ably supported by Sachin Tendulkar, who made 53 from 70 balls. After his dismissal, skipper Azharuddin ensured that India got home with ease, blasting an unbeaten 54 from 39 balls, with four fours and 1 six. India got home by seven wickets and Azhar was declared man of the match for his blistering innings.
--By A Cricket Analyst
