India won the 1983 World Cup with consecutive wins over England and West Indies in the semis and finals, one that even the staunchest follower had not dreamt of. The previous World Cup sojourns meant disastrous results for the Indian team. The team did not have one-day experts in the team - they had to rely on the few folks who had county stints like Bedi, Venkat and Engineer.
This time in 1983, the team was different and there was a lot of young blood in the team. Also was the effect of the Windies tour where they played well to win their first ODI match against the Caribbeans. The Indians, to say the obvious, were quietly confident. The Tunbridge Wells match had acted as a tonic of self-belief and the team had nothing to lose.
Despite being knocked over by a paltry score in the first innings, the Indian team fought back to restrict the Caribbeans and win the match and trophy. 38 was the highest score of the match (by Srikanth) and 183 seemed too distant for the Windies at the end. All the Indian bowlers pitched in with wickets with Amarnath taking three for just twelve runs in seven overs.
Before the finals, the Indian team defeated the home team by six wickets. Though the English batsmen made a bright start (84-1 at one stage), they were dismissed for 213 by the Indian bowlers who again stuck in unison. Botham's quick dismissal also helped the Indian bowlers restrict the English score. Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma and Sandeep Patil then fired to take the Indian team to the finals with more than five overs to spare.
This time in 1983, the team was different and there was a lot of young blood in the team. Also was the effect of the Windies tour where they played well to win their first ODI match against the Caribbeans. The Indians, to say the obvious, were quietly confident. The Tunbridge Wells match had acted as a tonic of self-belief and the team had nothing to lose.
Despite being knocked over by a paltry score in the first innings, the Indian team fought back to restrict the Caribbeans and win the match and trophy. 38 was the highest score of the match (by Srikanth) and 183 seemed too distant for the Windies at the end. All the Indian bowlers pitched in with wickets with Amarnath taking three for just twelve runs in seven overs.
Before the finals, the Indian team defeated the home team by six wickets. Though the English batsmen made a bright start (84-1 at one stage), they were dismissed for 213 by the Indian bowlers who again stuck in unison. Botham's quick dismissal also helped the Indian bowlers restrict the English score. Mohinder Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma and Sandeep Patil then fired to take the Indian team to the finals with more than five overs to spare.
What the World Cup victory meant for the nation was something beyond words. The Indian team was no longer a push-over, not present to complete the numbers. They were in to win the competition. That is exactly what they set out to prove in the next 2-3 years. This victory coincided with the explosion of television sets within the country - this meant that Indian fans could watch their heroes regularly.
Indian cricket would never be the same again and Indian team started to have the burden of expectations from then on. Every four years, this team would be the focus of media and the highlight would continue till the World Cup was complete. The players life would never be the same again.
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