# The most mysterious cricket match in history when Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin watched just 16 runs scored off 54 balls in Kanpur > During a 1994 Wills World Series match at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Indian batters crawled to a sluggish finish, sparking major controversy and disciplinary action. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-09-08 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/kanapura-men-sachin-tendulkar-aura-mohammad-azharuddin-ke-daura-ka-vaha-rahasyamayi-maicha-jaba-54-gendon-para-bane-the-sirpha-16--29857 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Indian Cricket History, Manoj Prabhakar, Nayan Mongia, Green Park Kanpur, Cricket Controversy Cricket is widely celebrated as a game of glorious uncertainties, where athletes battle fiercely until the final delivery to secure victory for their nation. However, on October 30, 1994, at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, an extraordinary event unfolded that baffled sports enthusiasts across the globe. This was a fixture where legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin were part of the lineup, yet the proceedings took a turn that left the entire cricketing fraternity questioning the intent on the pitch. As part of the Wills World Series tournament, the West Indies posted a target of 258 runs for India to chase. Despite the dismissals of Sachin Tendulkar for 34 runs and Mohammad Azharuddin for 26 runs, the Indian side remained in a commanding position. Century-maker Manoj Prabhakar was anchoring one end of the pitch, and wicketkeeper-batter Nayan Mongia joined him in the middle when the run-rate requirement was entirely manageable and the team had five wickets in hand. With only 63 runs needed from 54 deliveries and ample wickets remaining, any standard one-day international chase would have been routine. Instead, what transpired next cast a permanent shadow over Indian cricket history, its echoes reverberating years later during major match-fixing investigations. The batters suddenly adopted an ultra-defensive approach while West Indies bowlers maintained standard lines and lengths, completely halting any pursuit of the target. Over the final nine overs comprising 54 balls, Mongia and Prabhakar managed to scrape together a mere 16 runs. Mongia crawled to 4 runs from 21 deliveries, while Prabhakar completed his personal milestone by remaining unbeaten on 102 runs from 154 balls, yet made no genuine effort to steer his team toward victory. India ultimately lost the match by 46 runs, leaving the spectators inside the stadium completely stunned and furious. ## Dressing Room Backlash and Disciplinary Action The turtle-paced partnership enraged not only the supporters in the stands but also the team management and fellow players. Then vice-captain Sachin Tendulkar later expressed his strong displeasure, clarifying that the dressing room had issued no instructions to slow down the scoring rate, and teammates were so angered by the approach that they avoided speaking to the two batters for a long time. Match referee Raman Subba Rao initially initiated steps to penalize India for actions contrary to the spirit of the game, though this was later adjusted on technical grounds. Taking immediate notice, the Board of Control for Cricket in India swung into action by dropping both Manoj Prabhakar and Nayan Mongia from the remaining matches of the series on disciplinary grounds. When match-fixing scandals surfaced in the year 2000, this particular encounter faced intense scrutiny before the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Chandrachud inquiry commission. While Mongia maintained that they were merely protecting run-rate quotients, cricket pundits and fans have never found the 54-ball 16-run theory acceptable, cementing this fixture as one of the most mysterious chapters in ODI history. ## What this means for you This historical sporting controversy serves as a major reminder of how player intent and sportsmanship impact the integrity of competitive matches. - **Across India:** **The incident prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India to enforce strict disciplinary measures against slow play and questionable intent.** It permanently altered how governing bodies monitor player performance and maintain sporting ethics during bilateral and tournament matches. - **In Kanpur:** **Spectators at the Green Park Stadium witnessed an anti-climactic finish that left local fans disillusioned.** The backlash from the stands set a precedent for how public anger and administrative scrutiny shape team selections following controversial performances. ## Why this happened The sudden drop in scoring rate and the controversial nature of the partnership stemmed from specific tactical decisions and subsequent investigations. - **Match Situation and Tactics:** **India required 63 runs from 54 balls with 5 wickets remaining, an achievable target in modern or historical ODIs.** Instead of accelerating, the batters chose an extreme defensive approach that baffled observers. - **Run-Rate Justification:** **Nayan Mongia later claimed that the pair was attempting to protect the tournament run-rate quotient.** However, experts and teammates rejected this explanation given the easy target and available resources. - **Official Inquiries:** **Match referee Raman Subba Rao initiated penalty proceedings for playing against the spirit of the game.** The match later came under renewed scrutiny during the 2000 Central Bureau of Investigation and Justice Chandrachud probes into cricket irregularities. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When and where was this match played? The match was played on October 30, 1994, at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. ### 2. What target did West Indies set for India? West Indies set a target of 258 runs for India to chase after batting first. ### 3. Which batters were at the crease during the final overs? Manoj Prabhakar and Nayan Mongia were batting together at the crease during the final phase of the chase. ### 4. How many runs were scored in the last 54 balls? Mongia and Prabhakar managed to score only 16 runs together across the final 54 deliveries. ### 5. What action did the cricket board take after the match? The cricket board took immediate disciplinary action by dropping Manoj Prabhakar and Nayan Mongia from the remaining matches of the series. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._