Caribbean hurricane in India: Clive Lloyd's revenge series

Jimmy Amarnath, the prime target

Mohinder Amarnath was the prime target in the series

When India toured the Caribbean in 1982-83, most Indian batsmen had a torrid time. Several had trouble getting past double figures on more than one occasion. Yet, one player stood out.

Mohinder Amarnath had been India's most successful batsman against pace bowling in the early 1980s. He had the ability to hook and cut and seemed to relish the West Indies attack, unlike his beleaguered teammates who were totally undone by the same bowlers.

In the 1982-83 series, Amarnath had scored 598 runs against the West Indies in their backyard with an average of just over 66. In the World Cup too, Amarnath had played a key role in India's success and was the Man of the Match in the finals.

It was no surprise then that Clive Lloyd and his team had singled Mohinder Amarnath out as the prime target for the "Revenge Series".

Malcolm Marshall reserved his best and the most unplayable deliveries for Amarnath, leaving him clueless. The same batsman who had tamed the Caribbean quickies a year ago had no answer to Marshall's pace and swing.

The statistics below tell the tale far better than words can ever express:

Mohinder Amarnath's scores against West Indies in the Test series, 1983-84

First Test: 0, 0

Second Test: 1, 0

Third Test: Did not play

Fourth Test: Did not play

Fifth Test: 0, 0

Sixth Test: Did not play.