Top 6 underrated classics

#4 Vivian Richards – 61 versus India, Jamaica, 1983

Viv Richards

The great Vivian Richards played so many extraordinary innings during the course of successful Test career. People can perhaps be forgiven for forgetting this knock. During their heyday, West Indies would roll over most opponents without really breaking a sweat. After their 5-1 loss in Australia in 1975-76, Clive Lloyd had assembled a pace quartet that would go on to terrorise batting line-ups around the world.

The batting power was not far behind; with Greenidge and Haynes opening the batting, West Indies controlled the match right from the start. In the home series against India in 1983, West Indies had started well in the first Test by restricting India to 251. However, an ordinary batting display by the home side meant that they managed a lead of only 3 runs.

A torrential shower washed out the whole of day 4 and a draw seemed inevitable as India moved to 168/6 with close to 30 overs remaining in the final day’s play. Andy Roberts turned the contest around with a terrific spell as he ripped out the last four wickets in quick time leaving West Indies to chase down a seemingly improbable, but not impossible 172 in just 26 overs.

Though the start was rapid, it was quite apparent that only Richards could pull off the miracle. And he did. The Antiguan legend launched a fearsome attack on the Indian bowling plundering 61 off just 36 balls with four sixes and five fours. When he was dismissed, West Indies needed 16 runs off 2.3 overs which they managed without fuss. This extraordinary win was made possible only because of Richards’ exceptional hitting.