On this day 40 years ago, India wrote history by winning the World Cup in 1983. Kapil Dev and his team beat all odds to defeat the famous West Indies in the final at Lord’s on June 25, and cricket in India was never the same again.
That success inspired a generation and beyond in what was a watershed event in the country’s athletic history. If India is a cricketing superpower now, it was sowed as a result of that historic day at Lord’s in 1983.
Even after all these years, the 1983 World Cup is remembered for Kapil Dev’s remarkable unbroken 175 against Zimbabwe and his catch to remove Vivian Richards in the final, as well as Mohinder Amarnath’s all-round performances.
The team’s effort in the competition was truly collective. Every member made a significant impact, leaving their mark. However, there were also unsung heroes who deserve recognition. Here are three of them:
1. Yashpal Sharma
The late Yashpal Sharma was an important part in India’s World Cup victory in 1983. While he blew hot and cold, a handful of his notable efforts helped India close the deal.
Yashpal produced a courageous 120-ball 89 in the team’s curtain-raiser against the West Indies, helping India post a competitive 262 on the board before the bowlers took control and won the game. After leading his side to victory over Zimbabwe with an undefeated 18, he faded with a succession of poor scores.
That was until the semifinal versus England, which brought out the best in him. He led the way with a tenacious 115-ball 61 that held the hosts’ bowlers at bay and built the groundwork for a historic Indian win. Without Yashpal’s efforts, it’s difficult to imagine India going the far in the competition.
2. Balwinder Singh Sandhu
While Roger Binny led India in wickets and Madan Lal was not far behind, Balwinder Singh Sandhu quietly slid under the spotlight during the 1983 World Cup. While he’ll be remembered for that ripper of an in-decker that castled Gordon Greenidge in the final, he worked hard throughout the season.
Sandhu took eight wickets in as many games, at an economy rate of 3.57. What stood out was his consistency, as he only went wicketless twice, one of which coincided with a superb stint in the semifinal against England.
Sandhu’s career did not take off after the 1983 World Cup. However, it does not take away the luster of his tournament performances and effect.
3. Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Given that his batting stats didn’t exactly stick out at the 1983 World Cup, this was an unusual decision. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, however, had his say in a tournament that was all about the small contributions that added together to build the total.
He had two different yet vital knockout innings, beginning with 19 in the semifinal against England as part of a solid 46-run opening combination with Sunil Gavaskar that allowed the middle order to take control.
In the final, he went the aggressive path and top-scored with a 57-ball 38, which was enormous given how much India had to defend. And it surely helped to ensure that the Indian squad made history.
