Cricket World Cup History: Reliving India's journey to the 1983 World Cup triumph

There are some instances in sporting history that would be remembered forever. One such occasion was on June 25th 1983 as Indian skipper Kapil Dev lifted the prestigious World Cup on the Lord's balcony.

India started its campaign as unfancied underdogs in the tournament. It was undoubtedly one of international cricket's biggest moments when the seemingly invincible and two-time champions West Indies were dethroned by Kapil Dev's men.

The competition was against the cream of international cricket of that era- Sir Vivian Richards- undoubtedly one of the finest batsman in world cricket, the menacing pacemen in Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Deniss Lillee, the elegant Ian Botham and Pakistan's run machine, Javed Miandad.

Against these legends, India's chances were slightly lesser with Sunil Gavaskar and Amarnath bound to assume scoring duties and a match-winning all-rounder like Kapil Dev. With some attacking leadership and an enthusiastic approach, Kapil Dev led India to the country's first ever World Cup triumph.

As we march towards the 36th anniversary of India's first World Cup triumph, here is a rewind of India's World Cup winning campaign.

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Jun 9-10: India vs West Indies, Manchester

Yashpal Sharma batted beautifully

India began their journey against the defending champions West Indies in Manchester. West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd won the toss and opted to bowl first.

India's innings was handled by some beautiful stroke-play from Yashpal Sharma. He scored a match-winning 89 off 120 balls to take India to a total of 262/8 in 60 overs. He was supported by Sandip Patil's 36 while Michael Holding was West Indies' key bowler with his 2/36.

West Indies failed to thrive under pressure while chasing a competitive total. None of their batsmen could convert their twenties into a big score as they were bowled out for 228 in 54 overs. Joel Garner and Andy Roberts were the highest scorers with 37 runs each. Roger Binny and Ravi Shastri took three wickets each for India as India celebrated a 34-run win.

Yashpal Sharma was awarded the 'Man of the Match' award for his terrific effort with the bat.

June 11: India vs Zimbabwe, Leicester

India's prime bowler Madan Lal took three wickets.

At the back of defeating the mighty West Indies, India took on Zimbabwe at Grace Road stadium, Leicester. India won the toss and opted to bowl first as the bowlers were given an opportunity to make the most of the seaming conditions.

On a green-top wicket, Indian pacers executed their skills nicely. Zimbabwean batsmen struggled against the conditions and quality Indian fast bowlers as Butchart's 22 was the highest score for them. Madan Lal's 3/23 helped to restrict Zimbabwe for just 155.

Chasing a below-par score, Indian batsmen batted fluently. Sandeep Patil's 54-ball 50 was well supported by Mohinder Amarnath with his 44 as the duo took up the onus of getting India across the line and chased the target down in just 37 overs.

Madan Lal was awarded the 'Man of the Match' for his bowling performance.

June 13: India vs Australia, Nottingham.

Trevor Chappell slammed a century

Unbeaten from the first two games, the Indian team met the Australians at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Australian skipper Kim Hughes won the toss and decided to bat first.

Having decided to bat first, Australia got off to a flier. Trevor Chappell scored a beautiful hundred and was well supported by the half-centuries from skipper Kim Hughes and Graham Yallop. Kapil Dev was in top touch as he finished with figures of 5/43 but none of the other bowlers stood up to the task as Australia got to 321.

India fumbled under pressure while chasing the mammoth total. Despite Shrikant's 39, India were reduced to 66/6. Skipper Kapil Dev tried to counter-attack with his 27-ball 40 but couldn't make much impact as India were bowled out for 158.

Ken Macleay shattered the Indian line-up with his 6/39 from 11.5 overs but in the end, Trevor Chappell was awarded with the 'Man of the Match' award.

June 15: India vs West Indies, Oval

Mohinder Amarnath's all-around performance went in vain.

Defending Champions West Indies met India again at the Oval as they aimed to reach the semis for the third time in a row. Clive Llyod, the West Indies skipper won the toss and opted to bat first.

Losing Greenidge early, West Indies recovered through a hundred-run partnership between Desmond Haynes and Sir Vivian Richards. Sir Richards yet again showed his world-class caliber as he scored 119 before he nicked one off Sandhu. Lloyd's 41 and Gomes' 27-run cameo ensured Windies reach a total of 282.

India's start to the chase was dented by two early wickets and was even more compounded by an injury to Dilip Vengsarkar.

Mohinder Amarnath fought hard with his 80 but with no other batsman showing any resilience, India could not get across the line. India were bowled out for 216 as the West Indies clinched a comfortable 66-run win.

June 18: India vs Zimbabwe, Tunbridge Wells

Kapil Dev played an innings which would be remembered for long ages.

Losing two games in a row, India were eyeing a comeback against Zimbabwe. Kapil Dev won the toss and opted to bat first.

In what was a must-win game, the Indian top-order had no clues whatsoever against some world-class bowling of Rawson and Curran. India lost their top-order with the scorecard reading 9/4 as Kapil Dev walked in to bat at the Nevill Ground.

Mixing up his innings with patience and aggression, Kapil Dev stood firm at one end while wickets kept tumbling at the other. India were soon reduced to 17/5 and then to 77/7, a point at which Kapil Dev decided to change gears.

Dev launched an onslaught as the Zimbabwe bowlers were thrashed all over the ground. He went on to score the highest individual scores in ODIs back then and remained unbeaten on 175 off just 138 deliveries.

His innings was compiled with 17 boundaries and six humongous sixes as India posted a total of 266/8 in 60 overs.

The Zimbabwean openers gave their team a good start in the chase but wickets kept falling that dented the chase. Curran was the lone fighter with his 73. Madan Lal picked three wickets for India as Zimbabwe were all-out for 235.

Undoubtedly, Kapil Dev was handed the 'Man of the Match' award for his game-changing innings.

June 20: India vs Australia, Chelmsford

Roger Binny was awarded Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

Winning three of the five matches up until this game, India was an inch closer to the semi-finals. In a must-win game for the Aussies, Kapil Dev won the toss and opted to bat first.

All of the Indian batsmen got starts, but none could convert them into half-centuries. Yashpal Sharma top-scored with 40 and courtesy of the twenties from Roger Binny, Patil and Shrikkant, India reached a respectable total of 247. Rodney Hogg and Jeff Thomson were the most successful Aussie bowlers with their three-wicket hauls.

Australia had a poor start in the second innings. None of their batsmen showed any resilience against the pace duo of Binny and Madan Lal. Allan Border was the top scorer with his 36 as Australia were skittled out for just 129 runs. Roger Binny and S Madan Lal scalped four wickets each as they cleared India's way to the World Cup Semi-finals.

Roger Binny was awarded the 'Man of the Match' for his all-around performance.

June 22, Semi Final 1: India vs England, Manchester

Sandeep Patil's breezy half-century guides India into the finals

The first semi-final of the 1983 World Cup was played between India and the host England at the Old Trafford, Manchester. English skipper Bob Willis won the toss and opted to bat first.

The English openers got the team off to a good start. Graeme Fowler's 33 and Chris Tavare's 32 led them to a 64-run opening partnership. The middle-order batsmen got starts but couldn't execute at them. Lamb scored 29 and Dilley remained unbeaten at 20. Kapil Dev's 3/35 and a couple of wickets each from Binny and Amarnath saw England bowled out for 213.

Chasing a par total, India never seemed to be under pressure. Right from the openers, each of the batsmen made impressive starts. Yashpal Sharma yet again remained the top scorer with his 61 apart from which an unbeaten 51 from Sandeep Patil took India through.

Mohinder Amarnath was awarded the 'Man of the Match' award for figures of 2/27 from 12 overs that helped restrict the England batsmen.

June 25, Final: India vs West Indies, Lord's.

Kapil Dev took a fantastic catch to dismiss Viv Richards.

Two-time world champions West Indies were eyeing their third straight title cictory as they faced India in the final of 1983 World Cup. India were not given too much of a chance to upstage the mighty West Indies.

However, that was the summer that changed the fate of International cricket all-around. After all, India was the only team to beat West Indies in a World Cup match. Clive Lloyd won the big toss and invited India to bat first.

India had the poorest of starts as they lost Sunil Gavaskar very early. India recovered with a 57-run partnership between Kris Shrikkanth and Mohinder Amarnath. Post the recovery, Shrikkanth was dismissed for 38 while Amarnath was bowled for 26.

However, Sandeep Patil fought back with his 27. Yet, India failed to put up a commanding score on the board as West Indies bowled them out for just 183. Andy Roberts scalped 3/32 while Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Larry Gomes took a couple of wickets each.

Chasing down a below-par score, West Indies lost Greenidge early. Their innings was recovered through some aggression courtesy of Sir Vivian Richards. However, Kapil Dev took the catch of the century running backwards from the mid-wicket to get the wicket of Sir Richards that turned the match in India's favor.

None of the other batsmen could play out the chase as West Indies were bowled out for a mere 140 as Richards top-scored with his 33.

3/12 from Mohinder Amarnath was recognised as the match winning performance while Madan Lal's 3/31 also was a key feature in India's win.