25th June,1983 India beat a formidable West Indies unit to lift the World Cup,and embark a different era of Indian cricket. Not many hopes were pinned on India when they ran into the destructive West Indies for the title clash. They boasted the best bowling attack in the tournament,and had all the ingredients to spoil India's bleak chances. There were not many technically sound names in the Indian XI then,and they were on the mat after the early departure of Sunil Gavaskar - arguably the best batsman of that era. Everything was going the Caribbean Way before Kris Srikkanth took Clive Llyod - who elected to field first - and Co. on,and struck a useful 38-run cameo - which later turned out to be the top score in the match. India,not what they would have liked,struggled and crawled their way to a modest 183 in 54.4 overs. The total,at the end of the Indian innings,didn't look enough against the likes of Gordon Greenidge,Desmond Haynes,Vivian Richards and Clive Lloyd. However,what followed next was a phase of a determined effort by the Indian bowlers. Seamer Balwinder Singh Sandhu set the tone of India's defence with a beautiful in-dipper which castled Greenidge. Haynes,too,didn't last long. Next man in,Viv Richards,chewing the gum in his trademark style,made his intentions clear very early. The right-hander was in a destructive mood,and was at utmost ease in the middle. Only a brilliant effort with the ball or in the field could have stopped the Windies' run-machine on that day. Skipper Kapil did just what the doctor ordered and pulled off a brilliant running catch to halt Windies' progress. It is never easy to take a catch running backwards,but Kapil judged it to perfection as Windies were in a spot of bother at 57 Richards' departure injected a fresh lease of life into the Indian unit,who soon had a spring in their stride. The team was still holding their "keep your head down" attitude,and didn't do anything silly in the middle. Instead,they waited for the Windies to falter,who didn't disappoint them on that day. When Mohinder Amarnath trapped Michael Holding - the last wicket - LBW,the field was set on fire. West Indies,against popular perception,were bundled out for 140 as India,starting the tournament as just another team on the fixtures,were now World Champions! Thousands spectators converged to the field as the players sprinted and dodged their way to the pavilion. The scenes of Kapil and Co. waving the spectators from the Lord's balcony will always remain a special moment for Indian cricket.
