UPSETS don’t come bigger than the 1983 World Cup final at Lord’s when on June 25 India emerged out of nowhere to stun two-time reigning champions – and red-hot favourites – West Indies by 43 runs.
Zimbabwe made their debut as once again eight teams competed in a tournament which was held for the first time on a double league basis. An oval-shaped fielding circle was also introduced 30 yards away from the stumps with restriction of four fieldsmen inside the marked area throughout the 60-over innings.
A hat-trick of titles was a foregone conclusion for West Indies once India had been strangled for 183 within 55 overs in front of a noisy crowd after Clive Lloyd had opted to field first.
Incredibly, the highest individual score of the day was 38 scored by Kris Srikkanth, who hit seven fours and one six while facing 57 balls. For the first time in three finals, Andy Roberts, the legendary fast bowler, claimed a wicket – dismissing Sunil Gavaskar, Kirti Azad and Roger Binny.
Vivian Richards then set about making mockery of a small target, while striking seven boundaries in a 28-ball 33. The Calypso celebrations had just started as West Indies reached 50 for one.
But within 26 runs five wickets fell, including that of Richards, who was sensationally caught by Indian captain Kapil Dev deep on the on-side.
Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath, who at best were no more than military medium in pace, somehow wobbled the ball around and finished with three wickets each as the West Indian capitulated for 140 in 52 overs.