Nostalgia 90s: When India fielded two different teams in two events simultaneously

For the past few weeks, social media has been flooded with fans going gaga over how India have managed to send two different squads to different countries for two different tournaments. The main squad is in England for World Test Championship final and the series against England, while a team of limited overs’ specialists will travel to Sri Lanka for ODI and T20I series.

However, this is not the first time India have done so. Although, the last time they did so, it was not due to quarantine rules forced by a pandemic, but due to two tournaments clashing.

The 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur clashed with the Sahara Cup tournament against Pakistan in Canada. The team was split into two with Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman being part of a squad led by Ajay Jadeja that was sent to the CWG.

On the other hand, a team comprising Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad under Mohammad Azharuddin was sent for Sahara Cup.

The Commonwealth Games had 16 teams. India were put in Group B with Antigua, Australia and Canada. The matches had a List A status and were played with the red ball and in white jerseys. 

India were out in the group stage after losing to Australia. They won against Canada but the rain washed out the game against Antigua, leading to their early exit.

After the Commonwealth Games, the BCCI decided to send Ajay Jadeja and Sachin Tendulkar to Canada. However, in a comic turn of events, Sachin could not be traced as he had gone on a vacation with the family. He could only join the team for the last game, by then Pakistan had pocketed the series 3-1.

The Master Blaster did score 77 to help India reach 256-9 but Aamer Sohail made an unbeaten 97, ensuring Pakistan won the series 4-1.