On this day in 1983, Kapil Dev played an innings that would forever revolutionize the sport. We’re talking about his devastating unbroken 175-run knock against Zimbabwe in the Prudential World Cup tournament at Tunbridge Wells in 1983. To put this innings in context and understand why it is regarded as one of the best in ODI history, it is vital to realize that no batter has ever played an innings like this before. It was India’s first ODI century. It was the highest score in the World Cup at the time. Furthermore, India was in a vulnerable situation, and Kapil’s knock saved the day for India, as a loss here would effectively end India’s World Cup campaign, which they went on to win for the first time after defeating the West Indies giants in the final.
Kapil asked the Zimbabweans to bowl first after winning the toss, and the choice backfired to some extent when India lost Sunil Gavaskar for a duck on the first delivery of the match, and his opening partner, Kris Srikkanth, also fell without scoring. Mohinder Amarnath and Sandeep Patil followed them out, each scoring only six runs. After that, Kapil joined Yashpal Sharma, who subsequently departed, leaving the scoreboard at 17/5. Following that, Kapil found an ally in Roger Binny. He and Ravi Shastri, though, both fell in rapid succession, and India’s total was 78/7. Kapil then unleashed his ruthless side and began hammering sixes and fours all over the park. For those who were in the stands watching the game live, it was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, only they were able to see this magnificent knock because the game’s official broadcaster was on strike that day. To the dismay of Kapil’s admirers, there is no visual recording of his brilliant 175.
Despite this, Kapil finished undefeated on 175 and India finished with 266/8. Kapil hit six sixes and 16 fours in his 138-ball innings. India eventually triumphed by 38 runs to advance to the World Cup’s next round in 1983. Kapil’s name will live on in the hearts of his followers for the rest of their lives.