Top 5 Embarrassing Defeats for West Indies in ODIs

#2 43 run loss to India in World Cup Final at Lord’s, 1983

This result is still regarded as the biggest upset ever in a World Cup final game and is one of the most embarrassing defeats suffered by the West Indies in their ODI history. The West Indies were the best team in the world and were vying to win their third consecutive World Cup when they came up against India in the final of the 1983 event at Lord’s. India’s team was made up of bits and pieces cricketers and were priced at 66-1 ahead of the tournament. So, it is fair to say, no one quite gave India a chance and even less so after they were all out for 183 after having been put in to bat first. The West Indian pace attack of Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall was too much for them.

However, it was the grass on the pitch that worked to India’s advantage. India took the wicket of Gordon Greenidge early but then Viv Richards launched into a fearsome assault and hit 7 fours in his 33 runs, before mistiming a pull shot. Captain Kapil Dev took a brilliant catch but no one quite thought that the West Indies were going to collapse. But collapse they did and in spectacular fashion against a bowling attack, which was not particularly known for being too dangerous. From 57 for 2, West Indies were all out for 140 and failed to win their 3rd World Cup in a row.