As an indian watching the highlights of 96 semi final against Sri Lanka and hearing stories about it from parents hurts but trust me it always brings a smile on my face of how a cricket team from a war torn nation made their people proud...same for last year's Asia cup victory..Sri Lanka is a very awe inspiring team

No 90s Indian Kid would ever forget these 2 names.

This was by far the best coverage of Sri Lanka’s 96’s glory. They changed cricket forever. Ranatunga was an absolute pioneer who took brilliant tactical decisions, built the team, nurtured them like a father figure, and fought against oppressions like a true lion. You correctly pointed out - without Jayasuriya’s destructive approach- there wouldn’t any of what followed in the upcoming years and decades.

I (13 yrs old) cried inconsolably after both defeats to Sri Lanka, and hated the whole Sri Lankan lineup. But over the years I have grown up and acknowledged that they deserved to win the '96 WC.. well and truly.

Well done Sri Lanka. From an Aussie. Pity the politics of match officials and cricket boards got in the way, I feel that most Aussie players then and now had nothing against Sri Lankan players.

Arjuna Ranatunga's decision to promote Kalu along with Jaya in the opening has changed the history of ODI cricket

Sanath Jayasuriya is the original father of T20 cricket. Showed how to bat in first 10 overs. 1996 had the best SL team. ❤ from Bharath

As a Sri Lankan, this brought a tear to my eye. The amount of detail, research and the fact-checking you have done is impeccable! Thanks a lot for this one, mate! Trust me, your channel will blow up soon with great content like this.

Srl openers in 1996 were such a unique style, everyone was in awe of what they were doing..

8:49

You missed Aravinda de Silva fire eyes 🔥👀 when he walking out to bat in the World Cup Final 1996. He had a no-nonsense look of determination in his eyes.

This was a masterpiece... As an Indian I cannot picture a cricketing world without Srilanka. That Darryl Hair decision to chide Arjuna and Murli did wonders for cricket as a whole.

Last Night they break many hearts too, love from a Pakistani fan... As an early 2000's kid started watching cricket from a very young age Sri Lanka was the most frightening team of all.

One important to note is that at that point a civil war was going on in Sri Lanka between the Sri Lankan Army and the Tamil Tigers. The war actually caused quite a lot of divisions between the majority Sinhalese population and the minority Tamils. Murali, being the youngest and the only Tamil player in the squad, receiving supporting from the a team full of Sinhaleses, really helped in promoting national unity.

For some reason I can't explain, watching this made me come to tears. Proud to be a Sri Lankan.

Jayasuriya was known as "Ganja Haiwan" after he took Akram and Waqar to cleaners in Singapore. Awesome batsman.

The '96 World Cup - also known as the coming of Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana.

Arjuna Ranathunga, what a great man. No Sri Lankan cricketer will ever achieve what this man achieved for Sri Lankan cricket.

By 1996 SL cricket team was essentially the sole focal point of general population when it comes to anything that isnt war related. People were battlehardned and the national team was filled with rocket fuel to win + generational talents like Aravinda De Silva, Murali, Jayasuriya etc were all coming into prime form. It was a perfect storm only a few saw coming..

Aravinda's momentum shifting innings in the semifinals against India, breaking the partnership removing both set batters when Australia were sailing at 137/1 in just 26 overs, and finally the world cup winning unbeaten century, easily makes him the greatest allrounder batsman in the history of Sri Lankan cricket.