Remembering India's first ever World Cup win in 1983, this day 35 years ago

Kapil Dev on his way to a blazing 175 not out

India's Game #5: vs Zimbabwe, Group Stage

When people speak generally on World Cup 1983, there are two Indian matches that are always mentioned. One is of course the epic finale encounter, while the other one is "the game against Zimbabwe". Zimbabwe was never so much of a big deal, but if you have read through the previous four pages, you will definitely know how India held a precarious position by the end of their fourth game, having won twice and lost twice. Only two teams progressed to the semis from either groups, and India needed to win this one to have even a faint chance of making it to the next stage.

Winning the toss, India went in to bat first, aiming on a huge total. But by the end of the ninth over, the scoreboard read 9 runs for the fall of four wickets. In a few more overs, the fifth wicket also fell, at 17 runs. On one end was Kapil Dev, and that marked the point where he began to single-handedly tear down the opposition, receiving the little support he could hope for from his tail-enders. The most remarkable innings that world had witnessed until then, took place on that day as Kapil raced to an individual score of 175 not out off just 138 balls, a knock that featured 16 fours and 6 sixes, as the team concluded at 266/8 in 60 overs, a fightable target if not a sure-shot one, and at that point it was much more than what they would have hoped for, at 17/5. If five wickets fell for 17, the next three wickets fell for 249 runs.

The Zimbabweans were, however in no mood to give up. Despite the occasional wicket, they managed to hold on, keeping a close watch on the target at hand. Kevin Curran batted beautifully, scoring 73. He was ably supported for short periods by the likes of Duncan Fletcher, Andy Pycroft and Dave Houghton, who all fell in their 20s. In the end, Kapil Dev himself completed a catch off his own bowling, to dismiss 11th man John Traicos, handing India a 35-run win to keep hopes alive. Kapil was also the man-of-the-match, with his 175 not out remaining a World-Cup record of highest individual total until 2007, when Matthew Hayden smashed a 181 to rewrite the record in his name.