India's Cricket World cup memories - 01. India Vs West Indies (1983)
India didn't have pious start to the International ODI Cricket World cup tournament. In the first World cup tournament India could win only against East Africa, a minnow cricketing team. In 1979, second World cup tournament, it was worse than before. India lost to Sri Lanka, a minnow at that time even without the Test status.
After having couple of nightmarish tournaments, India's fortune turned upside down in the third edition of World cup held at England in 1983.
India Vs West Indies - Match 4 @ Manchester - June 9 - 10, 1983
India's first match in the tournament was against the mighty West Indies. West Indies team led by Clive Lloyd has not lost even a single match in the previous two editions of World cup.
On the contrary India had won only one match against the minnows East Africa.
West Indies won the toss and elected to field. After the delayed start, it all looked like business as usual for the West Indies team. In the 60 overs match, India were struggling at 79 for 3 at the end of 22 overs. Sandeep Patel and Yashpal Sharma tried to bring in some momentum with 49 runs partnership for the fourth wicket. But then Sandeep Patel was clean bowled by Golmes for 36 runs.
Soon India was stuttering at 141 for 5. But then the miracle happened. Yashpal Sharma who was in terrific touch scored at will and put on 73 runs partnership with Roger Binny for the 6th wicket.
Yashpal Sharma went on to make 89 of 120 balls with 9 fours. His innings and Madanlal's quick-fire 21 of 22 runs helped India to score 262/8 in the allotted 60 overs.
This was India's highest score in the tournament at that time!
West Indies started their chase formidably with the ever reliable G Greenidge and D Haynes making 49 runs for the first wicket. India got their first break through in the format of run out in the fourteenth over. D Haynes was run out for 24 runs.
From then on India made timely in-roads to keep the Windies under check at 157/9. But then the tale doesn't end there! Windies were in no mood to give up easily. The tenth wicket pair of A Roberts and J Garner put on 71 runs to give some anxious moments for the Indian team.
But a smart stumping by Indian wicket keeper S Kirmani ended the West Indies resistance at 228.
India won by 34 runs!
Tidbits
- This was West Indies' first ever loss in a World Cup match.
- This was India's first World cup victory over a test team.
- Yashpal Sharma was adjudged man of the match for his 89 runs.
It was a dream come true victory for the underdogs India!
So atlast India's victory march in the World cup started!!!
Documentary:
Watch from 7:04 to 9:34 for details about this match!
Links
Match score card @ ESPN CRIC INFO