33 Years Ago Kapil Dev Smashed The Highest ODI Score, That Gave India Belief To Win 1983 World Cup

If you were bored by last week's Zimbabwe Vs India ODI matches, going back to this contest between the two teams 33 years back should certainly interest you!

It was perhaps the most dominant innings by an Indian batsmen in the history of World Cup cricket. No other batsman previously had scored 175 runs in a single innings in one-day international cricket that Kapil Dev scored against Zimbabwe at Neville Ground in Tunbridge Wells.

Cricinfo

The date was June 18, 1983. It was a calm, quiet and serene setting for cricket until Kapil exploded with the bat. India had to win this game in order to confirm a spot in the semi-final.

Their start was far from ideal as India slumped to 17 for 5 thanks to an opening bowling burst by Zimbabwe new-ball bowlers Peter Rawson and Kevin Curran who shared the wickets. Kapil came out to bat when the fourth wicket fell with nine runs on the board. At 17 for 5, he was joined by all-rounder Roger Binny and soon there was a partnership.

Kapil Dev's 175 was then the highest individual score by a batsmen in ODIs and even in World Cups.

But India's expected fightback was short lived as they were further reduced to 78 for 7 when Madan Lal joined Kapil.

Kapil worked out the areas on the field as the game was played in the corner-most pitch on the square, making one side of the fence extremely short and the other side very vast. As the pace bowlers Rawson and Curran were out of the attack, Kapil and his tailend partners Lal and later Syed Kirmani were let off the hook.

The Indian captain then started to attack the bowling and hit boundaries all over the park. The then Zimbabwe keeper Dave Houghton said that most of Kapil's six sixes were hit at the longer part of the field. Kapil and Lal shared 62-run stand and then with Kirmani, Kapil added 126 for the ninth wicket. Till today, Kirmani's 24 off 56 balls is regarded as his most important innings.

Kapil's record of the highest score in a World Cup match stood for 13 long years till Gary Kirsten scored 188 not out against UAE in 1996 World Cup.

After completing a century, in just 72 balls, Kapil called for a new bat and that was more merciless on the minnows. India ended with 266 for 8, a total that Zimbabwe fell short by 31 runs.

In terms of magnitude, Kapil's knock was breathtaking to say the least. He scored 66 per cent of India's runs that day. He couldn't match this batting effort in any other match. India's exemplary fightback on this day gave the team immense faith in their abilities as they went on to clinch their maiden World Championship seven days later.

Too bad, the match wasn't broadcast on TV as BBC was on strike that day!