'That day changed Indian cricket forever' - Twitter celebrates 39th anniversary of India's 1983 WC triumph

It’s been 39 years since the famous victory against West Indies at the 1983 World Cup and Indian fans still hold the heroes of that day in the highest regard. The Indian team did the unthinkable when they defeated the two-time World Champions by 43 runs in a low-scoring thriller. The maiden trophy lift put India on the cricketing map and sowed the seeds for the sport in the country.

India reached the finals after upsetting hosts England in the semi-finals and were looking to script a perfect ending to a fairytale run in the tournament. West Indies were the heavy favourites heading into the game but were wary of the talented Indian side, who were seeking a historic end to their tournament.

West Indies were thought to have one hand on the trophy after India’s relatively low score on the board. The West Indies chase was off to a rocky start as Balwinder Sandhu jolted the defending champions early by dismissing Gordon Greenidge for a solitary run. Vivian Richards, on the other hand, was looking in a menacing mood as he hit the Indian bowlers for boundaries at will. It took a special effort from Indian skipper Kapil Dev to send Richards back into the pavilion as he took a marvelous catch running backward.

The wicket proved to be the turning point of the final as the Indian bowlers kept chipping away at regular intervals. The Indian bowlers made the target of 183 unassailable for the Caribbean batters, and they eventually succumbed to a total of 140 runs. India did the unthinkable and were crowned champions after a brilliant display by their players in the final. Mohinder Amarnath was exceptional with the ball as he finished with figures of 3/12 and was named the Player of the Match for his all-round showing in the finale.

The West Indies pacers restrict India to a total of 183 runs

Earlier in the innings, Indians were invited to bat first by the defending champions, who were looking to clinch a third consecutive World Cup trophy. The Indian batting innings was off to a terrible start when the iconic Sunil Gavaskar was dismissed cheaply for just two runs.

Kris Srikkanth was then joined by the previous match’s hero Mohinder Amarnath. The duo consolidated after the early wicket and were looking set for a big score on the board. But West Indies’ famed fast bowling quartet of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, and Michael Holding never let the Indian batters a moment’s peace, and it was only after a rearguard resistance from the bowlers that saw the Indian innings reach a tally of 183 runs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Some moments in life inspire you & make you dream. On this day in 1983, we won the World Cup 🏆 for the first time. I knew right then, that’s what I wanted to do too!🏏 pic.twitter.com/hp305PHepU

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 25, 2022

🗓️ #OnThisDay in 1983

A historic day & a landmark moment for Indian cricket as #TeamIndia, led by @therealkapildev, clinched the World Cup title. 🏆 👏 pic.twitter.com/WlqB0DQp1U

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 25, 2022

Date mein kya rakha hai? Well, 25th June, is date mein shuruaat rakhi hai.
It is a day on which India began it’s journey-in 1932 playing it’s first ever Test & 51 years later on 25th June 1983, Kapil Paaji & his boys winning the World Cup,which was a beginning for many cricketers pic.twitter.com/wcBz4BzsyS

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 25, 2022

On this day in 1983, Indian cricket changed forever, winning their first World Cup, led by the great Kapil Dev, the whole group has played a big role in making India a force by inspiring millions to take up the game.pic.twitter.com/9GZWq5CRX8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 24, 2022

𝘓𝘦𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘥𝘰… 𝘓𝘦𝘩𝘳𝘢𝘢𝘥𝘰 💙#OnThisDay in 1983 ➡️ 🇮🇳 won their maiden World Cup 🏆🏏

Which bowling duo from 𝙆𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙫'𝙨 team shined with 3⃣-fers in this iconic final? 🤩#OneFamily @ICC @therealkapildev pic.twitter.com/OPWYta5NPh

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 25, 2022

#OnThisDay in 1983, Team India won it’s first ICC World Cup!

Video Credits: @icc #Proud #India #KapilDev #worldcup1983 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/eujzpVT0Co

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) June 25, 2022

On this day in 1983, #TeamIndia won its maiden ODI @cricketworldcup by defeating West Indies & lifted the 🏆.

Let's revisit the golden moment of Indian Cricket Team's historic 1983 @ICC ODI World Cup win at Lord's, England.#AmritMahotsav @BCCI @ianuragthakur @therealkapildev pic.twitter.com/0lDEojFPb7

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) June 25, 2022

#Onthisday in 1983, #TeamIndia won its first ever World Cup by defeating the defending champions West Indies & lifted the 🏆. The dedication and fight back spirit of the team led by @therealkapildev made it one of the most important days in India’s cricketing history pic.twitter.com/aZYAb4d2jQ

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) June 25, 2022

#OnThisDay in 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣3️⃣, #TeamIndia penned history by defeating West Indies at Lord's to lift their maiden ICC Cricket World Cup. 🏆 #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/qJ8SAssAA1

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) June 25, 2022

Jo lehraya inhone parcham, woh aaj bhi lehra raha hai 🇮🇳💙#OnThisDay in 1983, our country witnessed an achievement that was unimaginable then, and unparalleled till now 🙏#WorldCup #Final #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/8ePScPFOb3

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) June 25, 2022

1-0 Sunil Gavaskar, 2-6 Kris Srikkanth, 3-6 Mohinder Amarnath, 4-9 Sandeep Patil, when he walked in and then 5-17 as Yashpal also went.
Kapil Dev's epic 175* vs Zim was scored at Tunbridge Wells on this day in 1983! pic.twitter.com/Ylnh4K48ps

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) June 18, 2022