That memorable day 25 years ago.
Among the many historically notable dates in Indian cricket history, there is little doubt that June 25, 1983 must take pride of place.
August 24, 1971 – the date when India won their first ever Test series victory in England – will probably rank a close second.
Then, there are of course a few other really significant dates: February 10, 1952 when India scored her first Test victory, March 10, 1971 when India scored her first Test victory in the West Indies and March 10, 1985 when India won the title in the World Championship of Cricket at Melbourne.
Still, a World Cup triumph is something very special, more so when one considers that India have never repeated the feat. In the ultimate analysis, this is what makes the triumph really memorable.
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I well remember events leading up to the Indian team’s arrival in England.
There wasn’t the media hype or the sky-high public expectations that have become commonplace these days. There were no nationwide signature campaigns wishing the team good luck, no Bollywood stars (or even starlets) involved, no corporate sponsors and no big money. Television was then in its infancy and only Doordarshan was available to a comparatively limited audience.
Expectations were not high because of various reasons.
One-day cricket had not yet caught the fancy of the public in the country and also, no one expected this team to perform miracles after the failures at the first two World Cups. Even a semi-final spot was in doubt for India, who were placed in group B along with two-time champions West Indies, former runners-up Australia and rookies Zimbabwe. The general opinion was that India would finish third in the group and stories circulated that some of the team members had already booked holidays in the USA as an early exit was almost a foregone conclusion.
In a way, this pressure-free ambience helped Kapil’s team, who were able to perform in a relaxed manner. As the manager of the team PR Man Singh said in an interview sometime ago, “We were in a situation where we had nothing to lose, but everything to gain.” Today with all the media hype, the ridiculously high expectations and the unbelievable pressure surrounding the players, the situation is reversed. Should the Indians’ performance be even slightly sub standard, the team has everything to lose and nothing to gain.
When the Indians shocked the West Indies in their opening match by 34 runs, fans back home woke up and took notice. How could a team with just one win in six matches in the World Cup - and that too against East Africa - stun the formidable champions?
A predictable five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe put the Indians on top of the table, but a heavy 162-run loss to Australia brought them back to earth with a sickening thud. The slide continued with the West Indies winning the return match by 66 runs and suddenly the Indians were back on familiar terrain. They were certainly fading after their dream start and soon the end appeared to be at hand.
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At Tunbridge Wells on the morning of June 18, the team seemed to be staring at an embarrassing defeat and certain elimination. India, batting first, were 17 for five. Defeat was imminent and it appeared that the players might after all keep their date with the holidays in the USA.
But then, as the whole cricketing world knows by now, Kapil Dev went on to play what Sunil Gavaskar rates as the greatest ODI innings ever. Gavaskar made the observation as the silver jubilee celebrations of the World Cup triumph got underway and it is difficult to disagree with this view.
Keeping in mind the precarious position (the Indian captain had entered at nine for four), the amazing strokes Kapil brought off and the remarkable effect the innings had on revitalising the campaign, Gavaskar’s assessment is spot on. The records associated with his innings – the highest made in an ODI by a No 6 batsman and the unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 126 runs with Syed Kirmani – have stood for 25 years despite innumerable ODI’s matches having been played since then.
Kapil’s innings rekindled the team’s self-belief. Putting it across Australia in a virtual quarterfinal, the Indians, in truly stunning fashion, were in the semifinal, but awaiting them there was an in-form England who had topped Group A.
Doordarshan telecast the match live and all of us sat glued to the TV. From an advantageous position, England collapsed thanks mainly to some accurate bowling by the unheralded duo of Mohinder Amarnath and Kirti Azad, who between them bowled 24 overs for 55 runs and three wickets. India found a target of 214 a breeze, racing to victory by six wickets. By now, the British press duly impressed had named the team `Kapil’s Devils’.
Predictably, the Indians were again the underdogs in the final against the West Indies, who shrugging off their shock defeat in the first match, had registered six straight victories to march into the title clash for the third time in a row.
Despite an explosive 38 by Kris Srikkanth, India were bowled out for 183 and the West Indies in reply were coasting along at 50 for one with Vivian Richards in unstoppable form. Yet, a little later the hunter had become the hunted.
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