6 Intriguing stats from India’s 1983 World Cup-winning campaign

6 Intriguing stats from India’s 1983 World Cup-winning campaign

India winning the World Cup against all odds was itself a really big and intriguing thing. Who would have thought a team that could only win just one match in the last 2 editions combined that too against East Africa could go on and become the World Champions in 1983. But the belief in Kapil Dev and his men made the impossible possible.

A lot of records were broken and some crazy stats were created. In this article, let’s take a look at some of those stats-

1. Kapil Dev’s 175* innings-

Simply the most intriguing stat, it was the highest score by any individual batsman in the 1983 World Cup and (at the time) in the history of ODI cricket that came in India’s 1983 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. The 175 not out innings off just 138 balls came at a strike rate of 126.81 and included 16 fours and 6 sixes. From 17/5 Kapil took India’s score to 266 and eventually won the must-win match for India.

Read More: Kapil Dev 175 Scorecard

2.Roger Binny and Madan Lal duo-

India’s best fast bowlers in the 1983 World Cup Roger Binny and Madan Lal took 35 wickets in the tournament combined. Roger Binny was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 wickets while Madan Lal with 17 wickets was the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

3. Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani partnership-

The ninth wicket partnership between Kapil Dev and wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani against Zimbabwe of 126 runs was a treat to watch and made the game for India.

On one end, there was Kapil Dev who was smashing the bowlers to all parts of the ground while Syed Kirmani stood his ground and contributed crucial 24 runs off 56 balls.

The 9th wicket-stand is still the highest in World Cup till date and is unlikely to be breached.

4. Kapil Dev- most catches by an outfielder

Kapil Dev’s catch to dismiss Sir Vivian Richards running backward is still remembered by cricket fanatics. Kapil was the most successful outfielder in the 1983 World Cup claiming 7 catches.

5. Sandeep Patil’s 50 in Semi-final-

India was chasing 214 against England in the 1st semi-final of the 1983 World Cup when Sandeep Patil, India’s middle-order batter smashed the fastest 50 in the tournament. Patil made 51* runs off just 32 deliveries and secured India a place in the finals.

Read More: 1983 World Cup Team India Squad

6. West Indies’ first defeat-

West Indies were the champions of the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and had not lost a single game in both tournaments.

In 1983, India became the first team to beat West Indies in a World Cup match. India also went on to beat the West Indies for the 2nd time in the tournament in the finals.

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