OTD: India lift 1983 World Cup conquering prime West Indies
June 25, 1983—a date when the Asian Giant was awake and the King was dethroned. It was then the biggest upset in cricket when Michael Holding departed and the mighty West Indies halted for 140 against India's 183—India won the World Cup—1983 World Cup.
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June 25, 1983—a date when the Asian Giant was awake and the King was dethroned. It was then the biggest upset in cricket when Michael Holding departed and the mighty West Indies halted for 140 against India's 183—India won the World Cup—1983 World Cup.
Before the final, it was like a repeat telecast of the first two World Cups when the West Indies proved their dominance and won the highest trophy of cricket back-to-back. Under Clive Lloyd's leadership, the Caribbeans, like before, cruised into the final match of '83. When India somehow managed the other spot in the final, on pen and paper the match was like between David and Goliath.
Batting first, team India managed to get only 183 on the scoreboard in 60 overs. The fierce bowling attack of the West Indies, with Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner, simply demolished the Indian batting line-up. The house-full Lord's Cricket Ground was ready to witness another dominating performance by the West Indies in the title-decider contest.
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Kapil Dev's catch and the wicket of Sir Vivian Richards
Sir Viv Richards, considered as the most dangerous and hard-hitting batsman, came to bat in the crease at number three and got off to a perfect ignition. He was toying with India's medium-pace bowling lineup until Madan Lal delivered a slower one when West Indies was on 57. Richards mistimed the shot, and Captain Kapil Dev, on mid-on, took an iconic catch under pressure, keeping his head cool. With 7 boundaries and a 117.85 strike rate, Viv departed for 33.
The defending champion still had a fair amount of chances to win the match, and by then, India got the extra self-belief they needed to pull out the greatest upset that no one saw coming. Clive Lloyd, Larry Gomes, Faoud Bacchus, Jeff Dujon... all came and went. The tiny target of 183 is registered in the history book. Mohinder Amarnath was selected for the man of the match award for his 3-wicket spell and 26 runs with the bat.
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