Once every four years, the cricket World Cup is greatly anticipated by all cricketing nations. With players desiring to carry the coveted cup after years of struggle, the extravaganza becomes an occasion where dreams are fulfilled and undying toil awarded. Each edition sees a few favourites, who are touted to be the victors. While, more often than not, the top-ranked teams walk off with the title, there are a few times where the underdogs have come up to surprise the opposition and fans in World Cups.
Here are the three teams who stunned the cricketing world by winning the title.
India – 1983 World Cup
At 66 to 1, the odds of Team India winning the World Cup in 1983 were next to impossible. Walking into the 1983 World Cup with just one win in the last two editions, not even the Indians fans would have imagined that captain Kapil Dev would be creating the memories for a generation while standing tall with the trophy at the iconic Lord’s balcony.
The skipper led from the front got his team four crucial wins in the league stages. In the game against Zimbabwe, Team India were struggling at 17 for five, and in walked Kapil Dev to play one of the most memorable inning in ODI cricket. He single handedly changed the course of the game by slamming 175 runs in only 138 balls with the help of 16 fours and 6 sixes.
In the process, Dev registered a world record of the highest run scorer by a player in an ODI innings back then. He also helped India seal a berth in the semifinal spot with a win in the game by 31 runs.
With the new found belief and self-confidence, Kapil Dev and his men registered a 6-wicket win over the hosts, England in the semis. The architects of this win were Mohinder Amarnath, Sandeep Patil and Yashpal Sharma’s, whose brilliant knocks with the bat helped India chased down 214 runs with 32 balls to spare.
The final of the 1983 World Cup is a memory that is visited and revisited by Indian cricket fans, for it changed the complexion of the sport in the country. Put in to bat first under overcast conditions, Indian batsmen struggled against the fearsome bowling attack spearheaded by West Indies’ Malcolm Marshall. Team India were eventually bundled out for 183 runs in 54.4 overs – a target that was deemed achievable for the West Indies.
With nothing to lose team India came in to bowl with passion. A quick succession of of wickets, an outstanding catch by Kapil Dev and a gritty bowling performance from the Indians ensured that Windies were all out for only 140 runs. The joy on the faces of the Indians could not be wiped as hundreds thronged the 22-yards and surrounded the players.
Pakistan – 1992 World Cup
It was for the first time ever, the cricket World Cup was being staged in coloured clothing and with a white ball. After Kapil Dev’s heroics in 1983, it was time for Pakistan’s skipper Imran Khan to display his skills in 1992. Pakistan side did not get off to a good start, as they lost their opening game to West Indies before making a comeback by winning against Zimbabwe. It was rain that saved them against England – a game where they were all out for only 74. The match was abandoned due to rain and Pakistan survived the scare.
After losing to India and South Africa, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the top-four looked bleak. Their leadership and man-management skills were criticized as well, and that is when Khan asked his boys to fight like “cornered tigers.”
The pep talk of the skipper charged the team and what comeback they staged! Winning three games on the trot to qualify for the semis. Chasing 263 against the Kiwis, the team won in fine fashion with an over to spare in the semis, and were ready to face England in the finals. Playing as if their life depended on the game, Pakistan batted with maturity to score 249 runs. It proved too much for the English side. Wasim Akram led the way with brilliant bowling figures as the Asian dream came alive.
Sri Lanka – 1996 World Cup
After India and Pakistan, it was only Sri Lanka who were left from the sub continent in the winners club and to leave the cricketing world bewildered. However, with a dismal performance in the recently concluded Australian tour, the Lankan Tigers were terribly low on confidence before the 1996 World Cup. But, as fate would have it, they were given a direct entry into the quarters before even playing a single game.
Australia and West Indies refused to send their players to the island nation following a terrorist attack at Colombo. As a result, the two teams forfeited their games, with the points going to Sri Lanka and paving their way to progress further without any hitch.
In their first game, Sri Lanka chased a stiff target of 230 set by Zimbabwe in just 37 overs. In the next game against India, opening pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana gave the team an explosive start. Against Kenya, Sri Lanka broke the world record for the single highest total in an innings by a team as they posted 398 runs. The Sri Lankans openers again gave the side a formidable start with their aggressive style of batting leaving one and all amazed.
In the quarters against England, they chased the target of 235 in only 40.4 overs, but it is the semi-final game that is always remembered. The disastrous Indian batting collapse that led to the Eden Gardens stands being set on fire is an image that will forever be remembered when Sri Lanka’s win in 1996 is recalled. As Vinod Kambli ran off the field in tears after the game was awarded to Sri Lanka ,the citizens of Emerald Isles harbored a dream. A dream that their team too would stand atop with podium, trophy in hand.
But, facing Australia in the finals would be no easy task. However, keeping their nerves intact and playing as they had been during the whole edition. They managed to chase down 247 in 47 overs, even as the minnows scripted a story for the ages.