On this day 43 years ago, Kapil Dev’s 175* inspired India’s 1983 World Cup turnaround

NEW DELHI: June 18 marks the anniversary of one of the greatest rescue acts in cricket history — Kapil Dev’s unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe during the 1983 ODI World Cup. On this day 43 years ago, the former Indian captain registered a ton that has and will be talked about for generations to come.

Walking out to the crease at the Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells, England, Kapil had a big task at hand. India, electing to bat in a must-win group-stage fixture of the World Cup, were reeling at a humiliating 17 for 5. Top-order icons like Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth had both fallen for ducks, leaving the middle order entirely exposed. Mohinder Amarnath (5), Sandeep Patil (1) and Yashpal Sharma (9) also could not contribute much.

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However, what followed was a breathtaking counter-attack that defied all odds. Coming in at no. 6, Kapil single-handedly seized control of the game and stitched crucial lower-order partnerships with Roger Binny, Madan Lal, and Syed Kirmani. Playing with an ultra-aggressive intent, the skipper smashed 16 boundaries and 6 sixes, finishing unbeaten on 175 runs off just 138 deliveries.

Kapil’s herpes act propelled India from 17/5 to a highly competitive 266/8 in their allotted 60 overs. Buoyed by the captain’s audacity, the Indian bowling attack successfully defended the total, bowling Zimbabwe out for 235 to secure a vital 31-run victory. Kapil Dev was awarded the Player of the Match award for his heroics.

The triumph at Tunbridge Wells effectively kept India’s campaign alive, instilling a sense of belief that culminated exactly one week later when the Kapil-led team lifted their first-ever World Cup trophy, at Lord’s on June 25, 1983. In the final, India defeated West Indies by 43 runs. (ANI)