June 25, 1983. The day that changed Indian cricket. The epochal triumph of the Kapil Dev-led Indian team in the 1983 cricket World Cup, known as the Prudential Cup, changed the course of game in the country forever and is perhaps the greatest-ever feat in its history.
This day in 1983, the home of cricket, Lord's cricket ground was witnessed to one of the biggest upsets in the history of cricket when and Indian team, quoted 66:1 by bookies, trumped a West Indies team which was full of stars. (Also Read: 1983 World Cup win gave new dimension to Indian cricket)
It was an incredible journey of a bunch of players from a low-ranked team, who went on to beat the big stalwarts of the game.
On the day of the final, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd won the toss and put India in to bat. Sunil Gavaskar departed early but his opening partner Krishnamachari Srikkanth unleashed his uninhibited attacking instincts on the giant Caribbean bowlers.
Srikkanth's cameo helped India crawl to 183 in 54.4 overs but it was never going to be enough against the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Vivian Richards and Clive Lloyd.
India, who had beaten England in the semi-final by 6 wickets at Old Trafford, were bowled out for 183. And when West Indies reached 50 for 1 in reply, it looked like India had little chance to survive.
But then, it was about to change for India.
Chasing 184 for victory in the 60-overs-a-side game at Lord's, reigning champions West Indies slumped from 50 for two to 140 all out in what proved to be the biggest upset of the mega-event.
All-rounder Mohinder Amarnath bagged the Man of the Match in the final as he scored 26 runs and took three important wickets for just 12 runs in seven overs to spark the West Indies collapse.
Captain Kapil Dev and his boys became national heroes overnight.
