Evoking magnificence

The frenzy of the ICC World Twenty20, the IPL and various other cricket championships may have crossed the threshold in today’s sport, but the Cricket World Cup was THE most prestigious event in the ‘bona fide days’ of cricket. 1983 will always be THE MOST special victory, albeit India goes on to win World Cups in the future – merely because of the fact that the Indians were touted as the underdogs at the start of it all.

Here is a rundown on the most splendid moments of the 1983 World Cup:-

India’s conquest at Manchester

Yashpal Sharma’s blazing knock of 89 helped India upset West Indies in the league stage itself. The match will forever be remembered for the fact that it was the first-ever time that the mighty Calypso Kings had tasted defeat in a World Cup.

Remember, India defeated the West Indies in an ODI just prior to the World Cup during their tour of the Caribbean. It was an ODI at the Albion Sports Complex in Berbice, Guyana and it took brilliant performances from Sunil Gavaskar (90) and Kapil Dev (72 not out from just 38 balls) to lead India to a 27-run win.

In the next World Cup meeting at Kennington Oval, a Viv Richards century helped West Indies avenge their previous defeat to the underdogs. However Mohinder Amarnath scored 80 runs and extended his love affair with the West Indies. It gave India enormous self-belief that they could confront a run-chase of 283 runs, against the likes of Roberts, Holding and Marshall.

The World Cup heroes went on to acknowledge that these two victories over the mighty West Indies prior to the finals – Guyana and Manchester – bestowed them with the optimism going into the Lord’s final on June 25, 1983.

Kapil’s 175 against Zimbabwe

India were in tatters at 17/5 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells and a defeat at the hands of the minnows would have thinned India’s chances of qualifying for the semi-final.

Kapil, showed his prowess with the bat and hammered 175 runs in his 138 ball vigil at the crease. Eventually, it was his innings, studded with 16 fours and six sixes, that registered the all-important 31-run victory and gave India a lifeline in the tournament.

"Kapil's 175 against Zimbabwe was remarkable and was the turning point of the tournament and in our lives too. He showed us the way with the gutsy innings," said Gavaskar at the felicitation ceremony for Kapil's Devils in New Delhi on Sunday night.

Yashpal’s timely half-century in the semis

The semi-final at Manchester against England saw India chasing a moderate target of 214 and faltering to 50/2 at one juncture, with openers Gavaskar and Srikkanth back in the hut. Fans will forever remember Sandeep Patil’s blazing 32-ball half century but it was the serene innings played by Yashpal Sharma that led India to a 6-wicket victory in the end.

© Getty Images Sandeep Patil during his brisk half century against England in the semi-final

Sharma grafted for 115 balls and scored 61 runs to calm the nervousness in the dressing room. He was the sheet anchor around whom Amarnath and Patil could bat freely. He added 92 runs for the third-wicket with Amarnath and a further 63 runs for the fourth-wicket with the explosive Patil.

Sandhu dismissing Greenidge

Balwinder Singh Sandhu was captain Kapil Dev’s new ball partner right through the tournament and proved to be a very good one at that. The overcast conditions in England played catalyst to Sandhu’s swingers and encourged the pacer all times.

The ‘greatest delivery’ of his life would clearly be the inswinger that he bowled to Gordon Greenidge in the final. Sandhu had already bowled Greenidge twice in that same year (1983) and troubled him constantly with some sharp outswingers. And then he bowled an inswinger that pitched at the right spot. Greenidge, anticipating another outswinger, shouldered arms as if to leave the ball, but the ball on this occasion came in sharply and clipped the bails.

It was the first dismissal that rocked West Indies and set the tone for India’s victory.
 

Kapil’s catch to dismiss Viv

After Greenidge’s departure, Vivian Richards, who had smashed a century in the 1979 final, returned to Lord’s with parallel, hard line intentions. He belted the Indian bowling from the start – smashing 33 runs off just 28 balls – with the help of seven boundaries. Legend has it that Madan Lal, despite tasting a hammering, wanted another over and Kapil Dev, the captain, obliged.

Each and every individual on the ground that day knew that it HAD TO take a special effort from a bowler or fielder to see the back of Viv. Richards played a pull shot off Madan Lal and the ball sailed over square leg. Kapil sprinted back and sideways, covering a distance of at least 15 to 20 yards with his eyes firmly locked on the ball.

He took a sensational catch to remove the dangerous Richards. The rest, as they say, is history.

Kirmani’s five catches!

India’s glovesman was awarded the ‘best wicketkeeper of the tournament’ for his splendid performances all the way through. He claimed five catches in the match against Zimbabwe and it was the first time in ODIs when a keeper claimed as many dismissals.

On the fateful day of the final, the clever little Kirmani was presented with an award for his efforts.

Amarnath removes Holding

The most magical moment of the match was grabbed by Mohinder Amarnath. Michael Holding and Joel Garner were the last pair standing and needed 57 runs to win. When the duo had added 14 runs, Amarnath rapped Holding on his pads. The umpire raised his finger and history was made! The Indian players ran all over the park and in all directions. Cricket fans, not to be left behind, ran on to the field to hug and congratulate the winners.

© Getty Images London was witnessed to the underdogs turning the tables on the undisputed champs

And how can we forget the moment when Kapil Dev and his heroes lifted the trophy. It was a moment that made its way to the Wisden Almanack. 

The Numbers

Highest team scores

266-8 (60.0) vs Zim, Tunbridge Wells

262-8 (60.0) vs WI, Manchester

Lowest team scores

158 (37.5) vs Aus, Nottingham

183 (54.4) vs WI, Lord's

Highest individual scores

Kapil Dev 175* vs Zim, Tunbridge Wells

Yashpal Sharma 89 vs WI, Manchester

M Amarnath 80 vs WI, The Oval