Many moments from Indian cricket history have redefined the way we look at cricket. Whether it is a knock of 183 from India’s soon-to-be captains or the famous Eden Gardens test match of 2001 featuring Dravid & Laxman’s legendary knocks. One of such famous incidents that could be said as the first defining moment in cricket in India happened way back during India’s 1983 World Cup campaign. Had it been fantasy cricket in those times we would have seen some mind-boggling numbers against Kapil Dev’s name.
Yes, we are talking about the knock which could never be recorded or covered by any media during India vs Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup quarter-final match. Before facing England in the semi-finals, India had to overcome Zimbabwe in a must-win game.
India Batting Order Rattles
Succumbing to the challenge, the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Kris Srikkanth, Mohinder Amarnath, Sandip Patil & Yashpal Sharma lost their wickets early and India was reduced to 17/5. Fast bowlers Peter Rawson and Kevin Curran were fierce and on-target as they rattled through the Indian batting order but little were they prepared, for the storm that was coming in.
Kapil Dev’s 175* off 138
After getting into the middle, Indian Captain all-rounder Kapil Dev knew that he was the only person who could make a difference in the result. He adjusted his eye in for the first few deliveries and then, blistered through the Zimbabwe bowling attack and took India’s score from 17/5 to 266/8 in the quota of 60 overs. Kapil hit 16 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 126 and played perhaps, the knock of his life.
India’s Golden Bowling line-up
When the Zimbabweans came in to bat, Indian bowlers Madan Lal & Roger Binny shone with the ball and took 5 wickets reducing the opposition at a score of 235 all out. India had convincingly won the match and took this confidence and belief into the remainder of the tournament. It was this game, that gave them the belief that they can win against any opposition on their day.
The Broadcasting Curse
BBC, on 18th June 1983 was on strike and that is why you would never be able to witness that great knock by Sir Kapil Dev. Ayaz Memon, one of the lucky cricket journalists who were there to watch Kapil Paaji bat quotes, “That was the moment which changed world cricket in general and people started believing that anything can happen in this wonderful sport.” Kapil Dev’s ‘possessed’ innings will be covered in the cricketer’s biopic – 83 starring Ranveer Singh playing the lead role.
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