Behind the Click: When Team India triumphed against all odds

Moments after India won the 83 World Cup [Source: Twitter]

This image will stay in the hearts of the Indian fans forever. Maybe the GenZ won't even remember why this image is so significant in Indian cricket's history, but the Millennial generation will always cherish this moment.

The iconic image represents the joy of an underdog nation. It represents how one team battled against all odds in a David versus Goliath battle and eventually prevailed in the end.

The year was 1983 and it was the World Cup year. West Indies were the defending champions and had won the previous two editions, so naturally they were the favourites heading into the mega event. As expected, they did reach the finals once again and had to face a spirited Team India who defeated England in the semi-finals.

If you are a player representing West Indies in those days, you expected a cakewalk in the finals, but as was the case, India showed a different side to them and perhaps played their greatest ODI game ever.

West Indies won the toss on a gloomy day and elected to bowl first at Lord's. Those were the days when we used to have a 60-over ODI game. 

India faced a lot of roadblocks in the match, but none bigger than facing the potent bowling attack of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding. 

The pitch had something for the pacers and the West Indian bowlers used it to their advantage, dismissing India for 183. There were barrage of bumpers and only Kris Srikkanth offered a bit of resistance with a gritty 38 off 57 balls.

Once India were bundled out, celebrations began in the West Indian camp. They expected an easy win, but India had something else in their kitty. They showed heart, they showed grit and they showed utmost determination to churn out the impossible. 

Who could forget that memorable catch by Kapil Dev to dismiss the great Viv Richards? Who could forget Mohinder Amarnath's splendid spell to rattle the Windies?  

To dismiss that champion West Indies side for a mere 140 was no ordinary feat, and that iconic photo at the very top of this article justified the emotions of all the Indian fans. The fans came running down the pitch. There were tears of joys, there was an outburst of emotions and it perfectly justified the greatest triumph in the history of Indian cricket.

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