The picture in Indian cricket change completely in 1983, when Kapil Dev led an Indian cricket team, consider as underdogs, to their first-ever World Cup win. In the final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, Kapil Dev’s Team beat the World Champions and the best team of that era, West Indies, in one of the most significant results of all time.
Legendary fast bowler Andy Roberts, who was part of that Clive Lloyd led West Indies team has said that India were lucky to win that World Cup.
Andy Roberts said that West Indies were not outplay by India in the final, but rather it was the Caribbean side that dominate over Kapil Dev’s men for the most part of the game.
He also claim that it was India’s luck that made them win the 1983 World Cup.
Andy Roberts Said :
“Yeah, we lost to India. It was one of those things. As we all know, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. You win some, and you lose some. We are always prepared to lose. We play to win—not at all costs, but fair and squarely. We were not outplayed by a better team. But as we all know, cricket is a game where you have to be on top for the duration of the match. We outplayed India up to the end of India’s innings. And you see, people don’t look at cricket as a game of luck and chance. Up until 1983, we hadn’t lost a World Cup game. In 1983, we were beaten twice. There were only two defeats between 1975 and 1983 in the World Cup, and India beat us both times,”.
“We were in form but due for a bad game. It was just India’s luck in 1983. Because of that great team that we had, we lost two games in 1983, and both to India. And then, five or six months later, we beat India 6-0. So, it was just that game. Luck went India’s way after they were dismissed for 180-odd. We weren’t outplayed. We just lost the game. It was not overconfidence or complacency,”.
He said that the wicket of Sir Vivian Richards in the final was the turning point of the match, that turn the tides in India’s favour.
Andy Roberts said :
“I think it was when Viv Richards got out. We could never recover. The only difference in the finals is that in 1975 and 1979, we were inserted. In ‘83, we batted second. That was the difference,”.
He also took a shot at Kapil Dev’s World Cup winning team, saying that he was not impress by any batsman or bowler in particular.
Andy Roberts said :
“Among the batsmen, I was not impressed by anyone in particular. No one got a fifty. Among the bowlers, no one got a 5-fer or even a 4-fer. So, I was not particularly impressed. Batsmen impress when you play a top-quality innings. And no one from India did that,”.
