38 Years Of Heroic Haryana Hurricane’s 175*

On this day in 1983, Indian Captain Kapil Dev went  berserk against Zimbabwe in Tunbridge Wells and hit  massive 175(138)* to save India’s journey in the Prudential Cup (read World Cup).  

But why is this innings so much Heroic ?

After Indian Cricket Team failed to make an impact in  previous two editions , no one had thought that the  Indian Cricket Team captained by Kapil Dev would lift  the World Cup trophy. They started the 1983 campaign  with an impressive victory against defending champion  West Indies by 34 runs. After beating the West Indies, Indian  team faced Zimbabwe at Leicester and beat them by 5  wickets. After a flying start, Indian team tasted their first  defeat against Australia by 162 runs and after that  against West Indies by 66 runs. Dreams were shattered. The fortune of the first two World Cup’s starts haunting  Indian team again.  

India vs Zimbabwe , June 18, Tunbridge Wells :-

Losing two games in a row, India were eyeing a  comeback against mighty Zimbabwe. Dev won the toss, elected to bat first.  

In a must win game, Indian top order had no clues  against some world class bowling of Rawson – Curran .  India lost their top order, the scorecard reading 9/4.  Kapil Dev walked in. India were soon reduced to 17/5  and then to 77/7 , at which Kapil Dev decided to  change gears.  

Kapil Dev thrashed Zimbabwean bowlers all over the  ground. He went on to score the highest individual  score in ODIs back then and remained unbeaten on  175(138) which consists of 17 fours and 6 maximums.  From 77/7, India posted a total of 266/8 (60).  

The Zimbabwean openers, Robin Brown & Grant  Paterson gave them a decent start in the chase but  wickets kept collapsing which dented their chase. Kevin  Curran was the lone fighter with his 73(93). Madan Lal  picked three wickets for India (11-2-42-3) as Zimbabwe  were all out for 235. 

Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe in Tunbridge Wells, 1983

Undoubtedly, Haryana Hurricane Kapil Dev was handed  “Man of The Match” award for his match changing  knock.  

18th June, 2021

38 years later, 120 km away from Tunbridge Wells, India  will face New Zealand at Southampton in the ICC World  Test Championship. India never won a test match in  Southampton. They surely want to change their fortune  this time. Ravi Shastri, member of the World Cup winning  team in 1983 is now a head coach of Indian Cricket  team.  

Today, if Indian players need any inspiration , they can  always look to an epic innings played exactly 38 years  ago by an Indian captain in England.