The Indian team was touring England and playing quite a few minor and first-class matches. However, only the Lord’s match was given an official test status. Despite a loss the Indian team gave a good account of themselves as in both the innings, they troubled the English top order with their disciplined bowling. England were 19/3 in the first innings and 67/4 in the second innings and both the time Bombay born Captain Douglas Jardine came to their rescue. Jardine had a good match as he scored 79 and 85* in two innings.
Indians showed a lot of heart; their bowlers were impressive. Mohammad Nissar (95/5, 42/1), Amar Singh (75/2, 84/2) and Jahangir Khan (26/0, 60/4) were the pick of the bowlers and created quite a few troubles for the famous English batting line up. In batting, their inexperience was evident as in both the innings they failed to build big partnerships. Amar Singh’s 51 in the second innings was their highest individual innings of the match as there were quite a few 30’s and 40’s and if any one of them could go on to post a big score like Jardine that match could have been close. Finally, it was a 158 run loss in their first test match.
51 years later, 25th June 1983 saw the beginning of modern Indian cricket. The point from which cricket started to get unprecedented focus and popularity in the country to become the biggest market and focal point.
India could win only one match in the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979. Although the team’s performance was modest before the 1983 World Cup, no fans or experts considered them as a potential contender. A good show during the group phase and a memorable win against the host England saw them reach their first World Cup final to be played at Lord’s. However, against them, it was West Indies, two times defending champions and easily the best ever team of that era by a mile. India were not the favourites and more so when they got out for just 183.
It should have been an easy chase and despite the early wicket of Gordon Greenidge West Indies were on course with the score reaching 50 for 1. The dasher Viv Richards was in great form and reached 33 off 28 balls when he mistimed a pull and Kapil Dev ran backward and grabbed an outstanding catch. This was the turning point of the match. Soon the Windies were on 76/6 and then there was no looking back. Late order resistance took them to 140 but that was not enough. Mohinder Amarnath (12/3) and Madan Lal (31/3) were the stars of Indian bowling. Amarnath also scored 26 and was given the Man-of-the-Match.
Both the days were truly the days of awakening for Indian cricket and remained special for generations to come.
