The Berbice win was the turning point in Indian history when the team realized that they could take on the mighty Windies and win a ODI match. The series was lost but the Indian team defeated the West Indian team at home. Kapil Dev has spoken enough about this win in his auto-biography and numerous interviews. First time India had beaten West Indies and first time West Indies (full side) had lost to anyone at home! Sunil Gavaskar too had broken his image of a blocker (remember his 36 not out in 60 overs) and scored 90 at a strike-rate of 75+. Wisden's report of this match is not comprehensive but gives a glimpse of the win.
I have merged another win at Old Trafford with this Berbice win as it fuelled the Indian hopes that the Windies can be vanquished. This win was at the beginning of the campaign and the Indian team never looked back from here. This was West Indies first loss in a World Cup match and it truly stunned them. Gordon Greenidge was bowled by Sandhu (an omen, probably for his dismissal in the final). Yashpal Sharma was the hero with the bat while everyone chipped with the bat. The match utilized the reserve day and finished with the Indians on top of the world.
Unfortunately, there is not much available on these matches on the net and since there was not much telecast too, not much is recorded of these wins. What is interesting to note is the performance of Ravi Shastri in both wins (taking three wickets while defending the target) despite opening in one match and batting at No.11 in the other.
Definitely, these were the landmark wins that drove the Indian team to the self-belief that they could win the 1983 Cup. Till then, it was unlikely if any team had defeated the Windies twice in a matter of 3-4 months - the Indian team had done it and how!
I have merged another win at Old Trafford with this Berbice win as it fuelled the Indian hopes that the Windies can be vanquished. This win was at the beginning of the campaign and the Indian team never looked back from here. This was West Indies first loss in a World Cup match and it truly stunned them. Gordon Greenidge was bowled by Sandhu (an omen, probably for his dismissal in the final). Yashpal Sharma was the hero with the bat while everyone chipped with the bat. The match utilized the reserve day and finished with the Indians on top of the world.
Unfortunately, there is not much available on these matches on the net and since there was not much telecast too, not much is recorded of these wins. What is interesting to note is the performance of Ravi Shastri in both wins (taking three wickets while defending the target) despite opening in one match and batting at No.11 in the other.
Definitely, these were the landmark wins that drove the Indian team to the self-belief that they could win the 1983 Cup. Till then, it was unlikely if any team had defeated the Windies twice in a matter of 3-4 months - the Indian team had done it and how!
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