#OTD in 1983: Underdogs India Stun Defending Champions West Indies to Clinch World Cup Glory
Kapil Dev lifts World Cup in Lord's balcony as fans invade the pitch (ICC Twitter)
On this historic day, 40 years ago, India scripted history by lifting their first-ever World Cup trophy at the Lord's. The astounding victory came as a shock to many, as India defeated defending champions, West Indies, in a final that would forever be engraved in cricketing folklore.
From Underdogs to Champions! India's defied all odds to win the 1983 World Cup
The euphoria of the occasion sent fans into a frenzy, both those witnessing the momentous event on television and radio and those lucky enough to be present at the stadium. The ebullient fans couldn't contain their excitement as they stormed onto the field and took over the pitch.
The scene at Lord's was one of exceptional animation as people flooded onto the field from all directions, eager to get closer to their cricketing heroes. It was a spectacle that left even the iconic Lord's bewildered, while the power structure in world cricket sensed a paradigm shift in the making.
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the 'Mecca of Cricket,' where the essence of the gentleman's game imbued the air, a momentous afternoon unfurled. India, formerly a colony under the rule of the very nation hosting the event, reached the zenith of world cricket by defeating West Indies, who were looking to secure a hattrick of World Cup wins.
India's road to victory was paved with grit and determination as they defied all of them that labelled them as underdogs in the tournament. Kapil Dev's men showcased their mettle by defeating some of the strongest teams in the world. The victory was a moment of immense pride for India, igniting a surge in the popularity of cricket throughout the nation.
Prior to this memorable victory, India had only managed to win a solitary match in the previous two World Cups, defeating East Africa in 1975. They were considered underdogs going into the tournament. Moreover, their unexpected victory against the West Indies in the tournament opener was viewed merely as an upset.
However, through a combination of good fortune and magnificent individual displays at crucial points, Indian found themselves in the final, facing the formidable West Indies. In the ultimate showdown, the defending champions had limited India to a modest total of 183 runs and a loss seemed likely against a mighty Windies batting line-up.
Nevertheless, India displayed impeccable resilience and fought back valiantly. The pivotal moment arrived when the Indian captain executed a stunning catch to dismiss the dangerous Sir Vivian Richards, triggering a batting collapse that resulted in the West Indies being bowled out for a mere 140 runs.
At the time of Richards' dismissal, with the match evenly poised at 57-2, the West Indies seemed to hold the advantage, given the explosive batter’s sensational form in the tournament. However, Kapil Dev’s breathtaking catch altered the course of the game which led to a sudden collapse in the opposition's batting lineup.
India's victory was straight out of a fairy-tale. Although they were not considered favourites at the outset of the tournament, they displayed determination and passion throughout their campaign.
This 1983 World Cup win, which completes four decades today, resonated far beyond the cricket field, instilling immense pride in India and elevating the popularity of the sport to new heights.
 "Jatin")
