On June 25, 1983, on the Lord’s Cricket Ground, Indian cricket turned a brand new leaf, altering the sport’s picture perpetually. Kapil Dev and his males emerged as World Cup champions. However, the trail to the ultimate was no cakewalk. The West Indies had been desirous to clinch a hat-trick of World Cup titles, having received in 1975 and 1979. But what transpired on that historic summer time afternoon will perpetually be etched within the minds of each Indian cricket fan.
Sportstar had an unique chat with Sir Andy Roberts, who was a part of the West Indies squad that misplaced to India within the 1983 World Cup ultimate.
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Your reminiscences of the 1983 World Cup..
Yeah, we misplaced to India. It was a kind of issues. As everyone knows, cricket is a sport of superb uncertainties. You win some, and also you lose some. We are at all times ready to lose. We play to win—in no way prices, however truthful and squarely. We weren’t outplayed by a greater staff. But as everyone knows, cricket is a sport the place it’s a must to be on high at some stage in the match. We outplayed India as much as the top of India’s innings. And you see, individuals don’t have a look at cricket as a sport of luck and likelihood. Up till 1983, we hadn’t misplaced a World Cup sport. In 1983, we had been crushed twice. There had been solely two defeats between 1975 and 1983 within the World Cup, and India beat us each instances.
What went improper for the West Indies?
We had been in kind however due for a foul sport. It was simply India’s luck in 1983. Because of that nice staff that we had, we misplaced two video games in 1983, and each to India. And then, 5 – 6 months later, we beat India 6-0. So, it was simply that sport. Luck went India’s means after they had been dismissed for 180-odd.
Would you say India had been good or the West Indies complacent?
We weren’t outplayed. We simply misplaced the sport. It was not overconfidence or complacency.
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What was the turning level of the ultimate?
I feel it was when Viv (Richards) acquired out. We might by no means get better.
You received in 1979 and misplaced in 1983. How will you evaluate the standard of the 2 editions?
The solely distinction within the finals is that in 1975 and 1979, we had been inserted. In ‘83, we batted second. That was the distinction.
Who impressed you probably the most on the 1983 Indian staff?
Among the batsmen, I used to be not impressed by anybody specifically. No one acquired a fifty. Among the bowlers, nobody acquired a 5-fer or perhaps a 4-fer. So, I used to be not notably impressed. Batsmen impress if you play a top-quality innings. And nobody from India did that.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com