“Cricket is not just a sport, it’s a religion” in India. This phrase wouldn’t come into existence if India had not won the 1983 World Cup. On June 25, 1983, for the first time in the history of Cricket India lifted the World Cup at Lord’s. Under the captaincy of young Kapil Dev, on June 25 a team that started its journey as one of the least favorites emerged as the new World Champion.
A Solid Start of Campaign
In the very first match of the tournament, India faced mighty West Indies who were the favorites in the tournaments with some big names of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, and Michael Holding. India batted first in their opening match and with an impressive knock of 89 runs by Yashpal Sharma, India post a total of 262 runs. And with the combined effort from its bowling lineup, India won their first-ever match in the history of the World Cup.
1983 World Cup Scoreboard
In their second match against Zimbabwe, India dismissed the other side on 155 and won their 2nd match by 5 wickets. Syed Kirmani took five catches behind the stumps and played a crucial role in the team’s win.
A Tale To Forget
With two wins in 2 matches, India was at the top of the points table. After that, they lost their next two matches against Australia and West Indies. A team that was on the top a few days earlier was on the edge of exit from the World Cup.
The Captain’s knock
In a must-win match against Zimbabwe, India was down to 17/5, when the team’s captain Kapil Dev emerged as a savior, and with his stunning knock of 175 in 138 balls, India posted 266 on the board and won the match by 31 runs.
A virtual knockout
In Another must-win game for India against Australia, Indian bowlers held their nerves quite well and thrashed them comfortably to book their seat in Semi-finals against another heavyweight and the home team England.
1983 World Cup Semifinal Pressure and The Amarnath’s Show
India faced one of the favorites and home team England in the semis. Hosts were looking for a big total until Mohinder Amarnath’s magical spell. India bundled out the hosts at 214. With contributions from all the batters, India booked their seal for the finals against the mighty West Indies.
Beating the favorites to lift the title
India was called on to bat first in the finals. India posted a total of 183 on the board. West Indies was cruising for a comfortable win until a mistimed shot from Viv Richards was in the air. Captain Kapil Dev took a backward running catch and that changed the fortunes of the Indian team. After that India didn’t take much time to clean up the rest of the West Indian team and that is how India beat the mighty West Indies by 43 runs to script history at Lord’s.
1983 Cricket World Cup India Team List
Kapil Dev (1983 World Cup Team India Captain)
1983 Team India Captain Who led India to a historic World Cup win. His brilliant catch to dismiss Sir Viv Richards can be referred to as a major turning point in the World Cup final.
Sunil Gavaskar
He was one of the senior team members of the 1983 World Cup team. His Expertise helped in the team’s campaign and to bring home the trophy. Presently, He is among one of the world’s best commentators.
Mohinder Amarnath (1983 World Cup Team India Vice-Captain)
Vice-captain of 1983, World Cup squad, and Man of the match in Semifinals and Final. His magical spell of 12/3 in the final helped India to clinch the trophy.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth
An explosive opener of his time whose knock of 38 runs in the low-scoring final was the highest in the match. Not just in the final, he also played some fine knocks in other matches of the World Cup.
Balwinder Sandhu
A well-Reputed pacer of his time who dismissed dangerous West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge in the finals and took 2 wickets in the match that helped India in winning the trophy.
Madan Lal
If he hadn’t dismissed Sir Viv Richards in the finals with his magical delivery, India had never won the 83 World Cup. Along with Richards, he took 3 wickets in the final.
Syed Kirmani
A legend who played a crucial role for the team from behind the stumps. He won the award of best Wicket-keeper in the 1983 World Cup.
Yashpal Sharma
He was the second-highest run-getter in the 1983 world cup. He played an important role in making India a World Champion.
Roger Binny
A fine all-rounder who impressed with his bowling skills in World Cup. He was the highest wicket-taker in the World Cup.
Ravi Shastri
A decent all-rounder of his time who had a good outing at the 1983 World Cup and was quite handy with his batting as well as bowling skills. After retirement, he also coached Team India for some time.
Dilip Vengsarkar
A batter in the 1983 World Cup team. He took over the team’s captaincy after the 87 world cup.
Sandeep Patil
He has also represented India as a batter in the 1983 World Cup. After retirement, he coached Team India for some time.
Kirti Azad
Azad was a batsman in the World Cup team of 1983 and later took retirement in 1986.
Sunil Valson
He was the only player who didn’t play any match in World Cup
