ICC World Cup History: 4 Best cameo knocks in the semi-finals

#1 Sandeep Patil - India vs England, 1983

Sandeep Patil played a real gem of an innings in the semi-finals of World Cup 1983

When India reached the semi-finals of World Cup 1983 to meet hosts England in Manchester, they were considered as easy meat for England. There was already talk going around about the possible final between England and West Indies at Lord’s.

England went into the match with the same biased mindset. Only when they were bowled out for 213 while batting first, they realized that there was a match to be won for reaching the final.

England suddenly showed a lot of purpose on the field by removing both the Indian openers for 50 runs. Mohinder Amarnath and Yashpal Sharma steadied the ship with a partnership of 92 runs but consumed a lot of deliveries. Finally, when Mohinder Amarnath got out for 46 off 92 deliveries, Sandeep Patil walked in.

With the match in the balance, the stage was set for Patil’s cameo which could take his team to the final. Patil was surprised to see England captain Bob Willis bringing himself on to the bowling crease. Patil had earlier clobbered Willis for six fours in an over in a Test match at the same venue.

The sight of Willis got Patil’s adrenaline flowing as he kept repeating the same treatment to the English skipper. Patil raced to his 50 off 32 balls with eight fours at a strike rate of 159, which was unheard of in those days.

Patil’s cameo ensured that India reached the target with more than five overs to spare.