‘It was just India’s luck, we weren’t outplayed’ – Andy Roberts calls Kapil Dev and Co ‘lucky’ to have won 1983 World Cup

Andy Roberts and 1983 world cup. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India went into the 1983 World Cup as the underdogs but they managed to shock the world, beating top teams like Australia, England, and two-time defending champions West Indies en route the title win. The Kapil Dev-led side faced the mighty West Indies thrice in the tournament, including the final. They managed to win two out of the three encounters.

In the final, India were rolled over for 183. The West Indies batting order comprised of stalwarts like Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, and Clive Lloyd. However, an all-round bowling effort from India helped them win the match by 43 runs. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath picked three wickets each to dismantle their opposition.

Andy Roberts, who was a part of the West Indies team in the final, recently said in an interview that India luckily won the final. According to the ace fast bowler, West Indies were the better side but India had the stars aligned for them on that occasion.

“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,” Roberts told Sportstar.

“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 added.

Roberts believes Viv Richards’ dismissal was the turning point in the summit clash

Legendary West Indian batter, Viv Richards, played a swashbuckling knock of 33 in just 28 balls in the final and it seemed that he would take the game away from India. However, Madan Lal managed to dismiss him after Kapil Dev took an epic catch running backward. Roberts named this moment as the turning point of the final.

“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,” said Roberts.