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Former West Indies Great Belittles India's 1983 Triumph: 'They Were Lucky...'

image-ljpcwbg0India captain Kapil Dev with 1983 WC Trophy [Source: Twitter]

One of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket, former West Indies legend Any Roberts, has made a bold statement regarding India's 1983 World Cup victory, where they clinched the trophy from Clive Lloyd's XI in the final. 

India-led by Kapil Dev were never favourites to win the World Cup against two-time champions West Indies, who were aiming for a hat-trick. India's batting first scored 183 runs, and an inspired bowling performance from Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath, helped the Kapil-led team win by 43 runs.

Roberts, speaking to Sportstar, explained that West Indies were the better side in the 1983 tournament overall, where both nations clashed three times, and India came out on top twice, including winning a low-scoring final at Lord's. 

Roberts, who played 47 Tests, and 56 ODIs, claiming 289 wickets, combined further reminded fans that West Indies hammered the World Champs in India in the same year.  


Luck went India's way: Roberts

"We were in form but due for a bad game. It was just India's luck in 1983. Because of that great team that we had, we lost two games in 1983, and both to India. And then, five or six months later, we beat India 6-0. So, it was just that game. Luck went India's way after they were dismissed for 180-odd."

The fast bowler also claimed that no Indian player impressed him in the final and that Vivian Richards' wicket was a game-changer. 

"I think it was when Viv (Richards) got out. We could never recover. The only difference in the finals is that in 1975 and 1979, we were inserted. In ‘83, we batted second. That was the difference."

"Among the batsmen, I was not impressed by anyone in particular. No one got a fifty. Among the bowlers, no one got a 5-fer or even a 4-fer. So, I was not particularly impressed. Batsmen (batters) impress when you play a top-quality innings. And no one from India did that."

Both teams will be in action soon, with India touring West Indies for an all-format series this month.