The date 25th June, 1983 has a separate fan base. It is of utmost significance for Indian Cricket fans. But not everybody knows that the events of the aforementioned date had already been scripted on the 8th of June, 1983. India were struggling at 9 for 4 when in came the man himself to play a captain’s knock. The then 24 YO youngster snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to lead his team to their first ever World Cup win.

Cricket experts believe that Kapil Dev’s 175* against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup set the foundation for India’s maiden World Cup win. His innings showed that he was determined to win not just the match, but the cup as well. As the Zimbabwean bowlers kept on exploiting the pitch at Tunbridge Wells, Kapil Dev smashed it all around the park, amassing 75 runs in the last 11 overs for his team. His 175 not out off 138 balls took India to a respectable total of 266 in their allotted 60 overs. Kapil hit 17 fours and six sixes in his solo fight. He then went on to bag a wicket along with Madan Lal and Roger Binny (the man who held the fort with Dev in the first innings) who got 3 and 2 wickets respectively, to bowl out Zimbabwe for 235.

The Little Master, who was the best batsman of that era, was in awe of the innings and still is.This was the win that gave the team of ‘83, the strength and self-belief to fight against all odds and end their campaign successfully. The victory was followed up by a thumping win over the Kangaroos to fix a semi-final date with England, who were also handed a crushing defeat by Kapil Dev and his men. And the rest as they say is history.  

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