1983 ICC World Cup History

1983 ICC World Cup

West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd was poised to hold aloft the World Cup for a third time, to see Kapil's 'Devils' from India snatch it away in one biggest surprises. The 17-day event was bigger than the previous ones as there were 27 matches instead of 15, with each side playing against the other twice in the four-team group.

The tournament began on a sensationl note, with India shocking the West Indies in a group match at Old Trafford and minnows Zimbabwe upsetting Australia on the strength of a superb all-round performance by Duncan Fletcher, who later coached England.

Australia were to face to the West Indies fury in the next match as they were dismissed for 151 chasing a 253-run target. The West Indies won their remaining four group matches before putting it across Pakistan in the semi-final.

India faced many anxious moments, lossing to the West Indies in their second group encounter and then to Australia before finding themselves in a deep trouble against Zimbabwe. They were 17-5 when Dev played a brilliant innings at Tunrbidge Well, a blazing 175 not out off just 138 balls.

India beat Australia in the last group match to set up a semi-final clash with England. They proved their all-round ability to defeat the hosts by six wickets.

It looked a three-in-row for the West Indies when India managed only 183 in the final aginst a formidable pace attack of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Macoln Marshall.

But Indian medium-pacers Madan Lal, Mohinder Amarnath, Balwinder Sandhu and Roger Binny were superbly marshalled by Dev.

If there were one catch that swung the final India's way, it was Dev's to account for Richards had been dominating the Indian attack before he mishooked a Lal bouncer for Dev, who ran back towards mid-wicket to hold the ball and chang the cours of the match.

The days of favourites had gone as the West Indies never reached the final again. Cricket was never the same in India where players were accorded status.