25 June 1983, will always be remembered in the history of Indian cricket. Team India, under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, won its maiden World Cup on this day by defeating the defending champions West Indies by 43 runs at Lord's, the Mecca of cricket. This win still matters more because no one expected India to win the World Cup back then.
Reaching the final of the 1983 World Cup was a big achievement itself for many in India because the Indian team had managed to win only one match in the previous two World Cups in 1975 and 1979.
On the other hand, The West Indies team had won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups. The Caribbean team had a scary bowling lineup and an army of explosive batsmen. They had their eyes set on winning a hattrick of world cup titles.
After losing the toss in the final of the 1983 World Cup, India stepped to bat first and could only score 183 runs in 54.4 overs (then ODI matches were 60-60 overs).
K Srikkanth scored the highest 38, Sandeep Patil 27, Mohinder Amarnath 26 and Kapil Dev 15 for India. The Indian team had a chance to fulfil their dream of winning the World Cup by performing well in bowling after a disappointing performance with the bat.
Chasing the target of 184 runs from India, West Indies made a good start and scored 50 runs for one wicket. Sir Vivian Richards was batting well and it looked like West Indies will lift the World Cup for the third time. Meanwhile, Richards suddenly played a shot towards mid-wicket off Madan Lal and the ball went straight to captain Kapil Dev who took a brilliant catch while running long behind him.
Richard's dismissal was the turning point in this match. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath lethal bowling shattered the West Indie's middle-order and they lost 6 wickets for 76 runs, India bowled out West Indies for 140 runs in 52 overs and Won the match by 43 runs.