The 1983 World Cup Final - The Most Iconic Moment In The History Of Indian Cricket

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When on 24th June 1983, a day before the World Cup final, the Indian team had a look at the pitch, it was green as if it was prepared for the mighty West-Indian pace attack that included Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding. The West Indian team was playing its 3rd consecutive final whereas the Indian team was playing its 1st final.

The next morning, on 25th June 1983, the West Indian captain Clive Lloyd won the toss and invited the Indian team to bat first. The West Indian pace attack didn't disappoint their skipper and dismissed the whole Indian team on the score of just 183 runs in 54.4 overs. West Indies were all set to lift their 3rd consecutive Trophy. Everything was in their favour. The score was small and their batsman were in great form too.

And then came the inspirational words from the Indian skipper who said, "We have already scored 183 runs and they still have to score those runs. We should give resistance and not give away the match easily", in the team huddle before the start of the 2nd innings. Those words turned out to be the magical words as Balwinder Sandhu dismissed the West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge with a big inswinger. The scoreboard read 5/1. But Sir Vivian Richards had some other plans. He started counter-attacking and scored quick 33 runs of just 28 deliveries which included 7 boundaries.

When it seemed like Vivian Richards was taking the game away from the Indian team, the Indian skipper Kapil Dev once again stood up for his team and took a brilliant catch running backwards from short mid-wicket to almost deep square leg. That catch changed the game completely. The Indian bowlers ran through the West Indian batting line up, dismissing them for just 140 runs and went on to win the final by 43 runs. Defeating the invincible West Indian team was the biggest achievement for the Indian team. Mohinder Amarnath was awarded the man of the match award for his all round performance (26 Runs, 3 Wickets).

That World Cup win changed the dynamics of cricket in India. Cricket became a lot popular after 1983 World Cup in India. A lot of youngsters started playing cricket after that and a few of them went on to play for India as well. That 1983 World Cup victory is one of the biggest reasons that cricket is considered a religion in India now.

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