The date 25 June will always be a very special one in Indian cricket history. It was on this day 43 years ago that the Indian team led by Kapil Dev defeated the mighty West Indies to lift the 1983 World Cup title. That title win was a watershed moment as it changed the course of Indian cricket forever. That win put India on the cricket map and set the pathway for the team to be what it is today. Kapil Dev’s underdogs conquer the might West Indies The Indian team had entered the tournament, called the Prudential World Cup back then, as underdogs. India had won just one match in the 1975 World Cup, the first year of the competition and finished bottom of their group in the next edition in 1979. India, interestingly, started their campaign with a 34-run victory over two-time defending champions West Indies. India then defeated Zimbabwe. After a victorious start, India tasted back-to-back defeats, losing to Australia and the West Indies in their third and fourth matches. But Kapil and his team bounced back in stunning fashion, registering a win over Zimbabwe in their fifth game, a match in which the Indian captain played an unbeaten 175-run knock. India then went on to defeat Australia by 118 runs to end their group-stage campaign on a high. India then defeated England by six wickets in the first semi-final to enter the World Cup final against all odds. Also read: Sooryavanshi to get separate washroom and changing space in England: ECB will make arrangements for 15-year-old in accordance with ICC rules The 1983 World Cup final West Indies had beaten Pakistan to enter the final and they would have eyed a hat-trick of titles. But India stood in their way and ended up pulling off one of the most historic victories in the history of the World Cup. India were asked to bat first in the 1983 World Cup final and the team came up with an underwhelming performance, managing just 183 runs in 54.4 overs (first three World Cups were 60-over tournaments). Kris Srikkanth was India’s top-scorer with 38 runs. Andy Roberts (3/32), Malcom Marshall (2/24), Michael Holding (2/26) and Larry Gomes (2/49) were the best bowlers for West Indies Defending just 184 runs, the Indian bowlers stepped up big time to deliver a memorable performance in the final. India bowled out the mighty West Indies for just 140 runs in 52 overs. Mohinder Amarnath (3/12) and Madan Lal picked up three wickets (3/31) each, while Balwinder Sandhu (2/32) got two. Captain Kapil (1/21) and Roger Binny (1/23) were also amongst the wickets. One of the most iconic moments of the match was Kapil’s memorable catch to dismiss Viv Richards. The winning moment was sealed when Holder was trapped LBW by Amarnath, who was named Player of the Match for his 26 runs and three wickets. Post navigation Sooryavanshi to get separate washroom and changing space in England:ECB will make arrangements for 15-year-old in accordance with ICC rules Controversy over Hayley Matthews’ wicket as England beat West Indies:Hosts qualify for Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals
