On This Day In 1983: Indian Cricket Changed With Maiden World Cup Triumph

On June 25, 1983, Indian cricket changed forever with the Kapil Dev-led side altering the course of cricketing history with a win over the mighty West Indies in the final of the World Cup. The 1983 World Cup victory of India still remains one of the most remarkable tournament triumphs ever by a cricket team. India were not expected to be anywhere near the trophy but still managed to script a story that now resides in the heart of every Indian cricket fan.

The first two Cricket World Cups, in 1975 and 1979, were both won by West Indies. Led by Clive Lloyd, Caribbean side was filled with match-winners from top to bottom. They were expected complete a hat-trick of World Cup wins in 1983.

India, on the other hand, could not get out of the group stage in previous two World Cups and the same fate was expected in 1983 as well. However, under the inspired leadership of Kapil Dev, India showed the world early in the tournament that they can not be taken lightly.

On the first day of the tournament, India delivered a shocking 34-run defeat to West Indies. That led to India being tagged as the underdogs. Another turning point came when India were struggling big time against Zimbabwe in a must-win game.

India were 9/4 and soon 17/5 when captain Kapil Dev decided to take charge. He hit an incredible 175 not out which to date remains the one of the greatest if not the greatest ODI innings ever played. India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and that confidence helped them beat England in semifinal.

West Indies waited in final that took place on June 25. The Caribbean side had not lost since the opening day's defeat to India and had inflicted a defeat to Kapil's side in the reverse group fixture.

India were asked to bat first on a difficult Lord's surface and the famed pace quartet Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Michael Holding ripped through the India batting line-up. West Indies needed just 184 to win the World Cup.

Indian bowling line-up then stepped up. The great Viv Richards who was threatening to finish the game single-handedly was caught by Kapil Dev on the bowling of Madan Lal. From there on India just kept taking wickets and West Indies were bowled out for 140. India won the match by 44 runs in arguably the most important moment in the country's cricketing journey.

India took another 28 years to win a World Cup with MS Dhoni leading the team to a triumph at home in 2011 but the 1983 victory still remains a watershed moment in India's cricketing history.