5 times favourites blew their chances of winning the World Cup

#1 West Indies (1983)

Viv Richards' wicket proved to be the turning point in India's game-changing triumph of 1983

1983 will forever remain the watershed moment in Indian cricket. Following their unprecedented World Cup triumph, what had been a casual pass-time transformed itself into a national obsession and the starring players turned into heroes overnight. Not many gave them a chance against the all-conquering West Indies outfit filled with numerous intimidating names.

Extra Cover: India's 1983 World Cup Champions XI - All you need to know about them

Having seized the throne in 1975 and 1979, West Indies were on the cusp of a remarkable hat-trick of World Cup titles when the final of the 1983 edition began on a murky morning at the fabled Lord's Cricket Ground.

The fervour encapsulating the Caribbean icons only grew stronger after the imposing four-pronged pace battery limited India to just 183 runs. The team manager was instructed to get the champagne ready in order to celebrate the impending treble.

However, what transpired thereafter was scarcely believable. A batting lineup featuring the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd failed to chase the puny total. Using the seam-friendly conditions to their advantage, the Indian medium pacers wreaked havoc on their unsuspecting opponents and secured a shock 43-run victory.

Despite suffering a defeat at the hands of Kapil Dev's irrepressible troops during their tournament opener, the fearsome West Indies team were made to pay dearly for their misplaced complacency in the final. They have not come any closer to reclaiming the World Cup since then.