The 1983 Cricket World Cup Final is an unforgettable chapter in the history of cricket. India and West Indies faced each other on June 25, 1983, at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in England. At that time, the West Indies were an invincible force in the world of cricket, having won the previous two World Cups (1975 and 1979). The Indian team, led by Kapil Dev, who were largely discounted by everyone, created an unbelievable situation by reaching the final.
Winning the toss, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd sent India in to bat first.
The Indian batting lineup crumbled against the mighty West Indies bowling attack. Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s 38 runs was the highest individual score for the team. India was all out for 183 runs in just 54.4 overs. The West Indies pace trio—Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner—tormented the Indian batsmen.
- India Scorecard: 183 Runs / 10 Wickets / 54.4 Overs
The target of 184 runs was not considered difficult for a powerhouse like the West Indies. Many assumed that West Indies would easily win the World Cup for the third time. But the Indian bowlers were determined to do something different.
As the West Indies innings began, the Indian bowlers started picking up wickets one after another. Controlled bowling from Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath created pressure on the West Indies batsmen. Just as Viv Richards was becoming dangerous with 27 runs, Kapil Dev ran back almost 20 yards to take an extraordinary catch, sending him back to the pavilion. This catch turned the tide of the match.
Following this, the West Indies batting lineup collapsed. Mohinder Amarnath took 3 and Madan Lal also took 3 crucial wickets. Balwinder Sandhu and Kapil Dev also got one wicket each. In the end, West Indies were all out for 140 runs in 52 overs. India achieved a historic victory by 43 runs.
- West Indies Scorecard: 140 Runs / 10 Wickets / 52 Overs
This victory was not just India’s first World Cup win; it also changed the course of world cricket. A team that entered as the underdog, which hardly anyone expected to win, defeated the mighty West Indies to become World Champions—this fairy tale is still etched in the hearts of Indian cricket lovers.
Mohinder Amarnath was selected as the Man of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance.
The 1983 World Cup Final is a golden chapter in the history of Indian cricket, which continues to inspire future generations to dream and achieve the impossible.
Top 5 Moments of the Match
- Kapil Dev’s Catch: The moment that turned the West Indies innings around. When the legendary batsman Viv Richards was scoring runs quickly at 27, Kapil Dev ran back almost 20 yards from mid-wicket to take an incredible, risky catch off Madan Lal’s bowling, dismissing him. This was one of the most important catches in cricket history.
- Sandhu’s Magical Delivery: The outswing delivery by Balwinder Sandhu, which bowled opener Gordon Greenidge, was a flash of brilliance early in the match. Greenidge left the ball, but it swung back to uproot his off-stump. This wicket created the first major pressure on the West Indies batting.
- Mohinder Amarnath’s All-Round Performance: After scoring 26 runs with the bat, Mohinder Amarnath took 3 crucial wickets for just 12 runs with the ball (including the wickets of Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding). This performance earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
- Srikkanth’s Fighting Start: When the Indian batting lineup was restricted to just 183 runs, Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s aggressive innings of 38 runs as an opener provided the team with some respectable runs, which was extremely important in a match with such a small total.
- History Made: The celebration of the Indian supporters in the Lord’s gallery as the last West Indies wicket fell was an extraordinary expression of emotion and victory. The sight of an underdog team becoming World Champions forever changed the course of Indian cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the ‘Turning Point’ of the 1983 World Cup Final?
The most important and turning point of the match was the wicket of the legendary Viv Richards. Kapil Dev took that miraculous catch, running almost 20 yards, when Richards was on 27. If Richards had stayed at the wicket, the target of just 184 runs might have been easily chased, but the West Indies batting lineup collapsed after his dismissal.
Why was the West Indies so invincible in the Final match?
The West Indies had absolute dominance in world cricket at that time. They had won two consecutive World Cups (1975 and 1979). Their team included legendary players like Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, and the fast bowling attack of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner, which made them virtually unbeatable.
What was in Mohinder Amarnath’s ‘Man of the Match’ performance?
Mohinder Amarnath delivered an all-round performance in the final match, taking 3 wickets with the ball and scoring 26 runs with the bat. His bowling was very controlled, and he took 3 wickets at a crucial time to break the West Indies lower order.
What impact did this victory have on Indian cricket?
This victory in 1983 brought a revolution to Indian cricket. It was not just the first World Cup win, but it increased the popularity of cricket in India manifold and created a ‘we can do it too’ self-belief among the next generation of cricketers.
How many years after 1983 did India win the World Cup again?
India won the World Cup for the second time 28 years after 1983. India won the World Cup title on their home soil in 2011, under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
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