Top 10 greatest upsets in ODI cricket

1. India vs West Indies (Lord’s – 1983 World Cup)

Kapil Dev and co. stunned West Indies to lift their first World Cup in 1983

No one ever gives the underdog a chance – especially when the opponent is a two-time winner of the World Cup, and boasts one of the finest pace attacks in the world, along with the greatest batsman in ODI cricket.

But India stunned the entire cricketing fraternity – and defending champions the West Indies – as they responded to the challenge magnificently. Bowled out for a paltry 183, with Roberts, Garner and Gomes among the wickets, it was widely believed that they did not stand a chance.

Such thoughts gained more credence when Viv Richards strode out into the middle and proceeded to send all the bowlers on a leather hunt in his own aggressive manner. At 57/2, it looked like the Caribbean side would complete their hat-trick of World titles.

But Indian skipper Kapil Dev took a blinder of a catch, running backwards from mid-on, eyes fixed on the ball that Richards had top-edged off Madan Lal, and he pouched the red cherry comfortably in the end. The whole Windies contingent was shocked into silence; Richards himself was astounded, but he had no choice other than to walk back to the pavilion.

With their best batsman out, the West Indies panicked, and India capitalized on it. Mohinder Amarnath ended whatever semblance of a fight they had left by removing Jeff Dujon, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding, as India skittled them out for 140, winning the title by 43 runs.