It’s been 27 long years but Kapil Dev holding aloft the World Cup in the summer of 1983 still remains the most memorable chapter in the history of Indian cricket.

This was the third edition of the tournament, with the West Indies comprehensively winning the previous two. The Windies were on course for a third title, but Indies were destined to emerge victorious.

Batting first, India couldn't do much in the face of some hostile bowling from the West Indian quickies and were bundled out for a mere 183. Chances of an India win looked bleak, but Balwinder Sandhu's early dismissal of Gordon Greenidge set the tone for India. Madan Lal, Roger Binny and Mahinder Amarnath then got into the act and soon it was all over for the indomitable West Indies.

India's march to the triumph

Group matches

June 9, 1983: India vs West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester

India: 262/8 (60 overs) - Yashpal Sharma 89, Michael Holding 2/32

West Indies: 228 (54.1 overs) - Andy Robers 37 not out, Ravi Shastri 3/26

Result: India won by 34 runs

June 11, 1983: Zimbabwe vs India at Grace Road, Leicester

Zimbabwe: 155 (51.4 overs) - Iain Butchart 22 not out, Madan Lal 3/27

India: 157/5 (37.3 overs) - Sandeep Patil 50, Peter Rawson 2/11

Result: India won by five wickets

June 13, 1983: Australia vs India at Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Australia: 320/9 (60 overs) - Trevor Chappell 110, Kapil Dev 5/43

India: 158 (37.5 overs) - Kapil Dev 40, Ken MacLeay 6/39

Result: Australia won by 162 runs

June 15, 1983: West Indies vs India at The Oval, London

West Indies: 282/9 (60 overs) - Viv Richards 119, Roger Binny 3/71

India: 216 (53.1 overs) - Mohinder Amarnath 80, Michael Holding 3/40

Result: West Indies won by 66 runs

June 18, 1983: India vs Zimbabwe at Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells

India: 266/8 (60 overs) - Kapil Dev 175 not out, Peter Rawson 3/47

Zimbabwe: 235 (57 overs) - Kevin Curran 73, Madan Lal 3/42

Result: India won by 31 runs

June 20, 1983: India vs Australia at County Ground, Chelmsford

India: 247 (55.5 overs) - Yashpal Sharma 40, Rodney Hogg 3/40

Australia: 129 (38.2 overs) - Allan Border 26, Madan Lal 4/20

Result: India won by 118 runs

Semi-finals

June 22, 1983: England vs India at Old Trafford, Manchester

England: 213 (60 overs) - G Flower 33, Kapil Dev 3/35
India: 217/4 (54.4 overs) - Yashpal Sharma 61, Paul Allott 1/40

Result: India won by six wickets

Final

June 25, 1983: India vs West Indies at Lord's, London

India: 183 (54.4 overs) - Krish Srikkanth 38, Andy Roberts 3/32

West Indies: 140 (52 overs) - Viv Richards 33, Madan Lal 3/31

Result: India won by 43 runs

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