While India’s World Cup win in 1983 was an ‘upset’ for the world cricket, the story was totally opposite in 2011. But the two squads had one common thing- good all rounders. We will talk about the all rounders who helped in two successful World Cup journey for India and who can be the next in the list for 2019 campaign.
India’s 1983 World Cup triumph is probably the best example of what the all rounders can do to a team at such a big stage. The team was led by Kapil Dev, one of the best all rounders of that era who was instrumental in taking his team to an unexpected victory in the tournament. One key match for India was the match at Tunbridge Wells which they required to win to have enough points for qualifying in the top four. But India faced a collapse, Kapil came to bat on 9/4 and it was soon 17/5. And at that very moment Kapil decided to counter attack and ended with the innings which changed the Indian cricket. His 175 was the first ODI century by an Indian and it ensured that the Zimbabwe was beaten and the all important two points were with India.
Earlier, Kapil became the first Indian to get a five wicket haul in ODIs when he took five for 43 against Australia. Overall, Kapil Dev topped batting average for Indians with 303 runs at 60.60 and was in the third position in the bowling average with 12 wickets at 20.41 and who can forget his exceptional catch of Viv Richards in the final to turn the tide for India.
Kapil was accompanied by three more in the journey. They were the x-factors. They were the key to what they called ‘upset’ or ‘fluke’. They were the reasons India did the unbelievable 36 years ago.
Madan Lal and Mohider Amarnath kept the game alive for India in the final. Defending 183 runs was possible because of these picking up three wickets each. Madan Lal’s analysis in final read 12-2-31-3 and Amarnath’s incredible number was 7-0-12-3. While the former took care of the top order of West Indies batting lineup, Amarnath ran through the lower order. Even with bat the vice captain Mohinder Amarnath added 26 runs which became crucial.
Amarnath, overall scored 237 runs and picked up eight wickets in the tournament. He was the Man-of-the-Match for India in both semi-final and the final. Even Roger Binny (18 wickets and 73 runs) and Madan Lal (17 wickets and 102 runs) took key wickets and scored important runs for India throughout their journey towards the triumph.