The match that BBC crew failed to cover due to a strike! The one match that Indians would have loved to watch over and over again! The turnaround that energized the Indian team's campaign in 1983. Kapil Dev scored the first century for India in ODI cricket but that is not touted as much as the circumstances surrounding his knock.
The Indian total was 17-5 and 78-7 against the World Cup debutants Zimbabwe on a track that was doing quite a bit. The partnerships with Binny, Madan Lal and Kirmani were forged with great technique and temperament. As the pitch eased out, the Indian team were able to score a bit more freely. Six sixes and 16 fours in his knock of 175 not out ensured that the Indian team had a decent target on the board for Zimabwe.
The partnership with Kirmani still exists as the best ninth wicket partnership in ODI's. Kapil was helped by a small ground as well as not-so-smart tactics from the current Indian coach (Duncan Fletcher). If the Indians had lost the match, they would have been out of the tournament. Such was the impact of Kapil Dev's knock. He was not finished during the second part of the match - he came back to take the last wicket and seal the match for India.
For a very long time this remained as the highest knock scored by an Indian in ODIs (until Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar overtook 16 years later). Kapil Dev would be forever known for this knock by his rivals and entire Indian sub-continent.
The Indian total was 17-5 and 78-7 against the World Cup debutants Zimbabwe on a track that was doing quite a bit. The partnerships with Binny, Madan Lal and Kirmani were forged with great technique and temperament. As the pitch eased out, the Indian team were able to score a bit more freely. Six sixes and 16 fours in his knock of 175 not out ensured that the Indian team had a decent target on the board for Zimabwe.
The partnership with Kirmani still exists as the best ninth wicket partnership in ODI's. Kapil was helped by a small ground as well as not-so-smart tactics from the current Indian coach (Duncan Fletcher). If the Indians had lost the match, they would have been out of the tournament. Such was the impact of Kapil Dev's knock. He was not finished during the second part of the match - he came back to take the last wicket and seal the match for India.
For a very long time this remained as the highest knock scored by an Indian in ODIs (until Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar overtook 16 years later). Kapil Dev would be forever known for this knock by his rivals and entire Indian sub-continent.
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