The whole country including the northeast and Sikkim was stuck to the TV and radio sets, ready with crackers and sound boxes to celebrate India’s expected victory in the World Cup. But what stories do stats tell about India’s performance in the two Cricket World Cups?
Out of the eight matches India played in the 1983 World Cup India won six and lost two. In 2011 World Cup, India faced nine rivals, won seven, lost one and tied one. See table:
In 1983, India won due to its bowling, though we were not known to be the best bowling side then. Our captain Kapil Dev was also more a bowler than a batsman. In the 2011 World Cup batting remained our strength. India has earned the reputation of having the most formidable batting line up over last couple of years. The highest score from Indian side in the 1983 final against West Indies was 38 by Kris Srikkanth. In 2011 final both Gambhir and Dhoni came close to scoring century. The total score in 1983 final was 183. No one would have expected India to win after being bowled out on 183 in 54.4 overs. But thanks to some spirited bowling by Amarnath, Kapil Dev and Madan Lal, India bowled out the West Indies at 140 in 52 overs. It was more of a spirited performance in 1983 when some had to rise to the occasion. In 2011 we played from strength. In the final against Sri Lanka, we dominated from the beginning except probably in the last five overs during bowling and first five overs during batting.
The one respect in which the 1983 World Cup was more difficult was that India had to face the then formidable two time world champions West Indies thrice; twice in the group matches and once in the final. Of the two group matches against West Indies, India won first and lost the other. India also had to face another powerful team, the 1975 finalists Australia twice. Against Australia, India lost first and won the other match.
The 1983 World Cup victory also saw some phenomenal individual performance. The memorable 175 run inning of Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe in the group match remains one of the best innings ever played in the history of cricket. The 2011 cup was more of a team performance.
On the captaincy front Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as a keeper batsman captain peaked at the right moment in the final. Kapil Dev led from front in almost every match, either by bowling or by batting. But then Dhoni had to manage the burden of expectations which not there in 1983.
1983 is an old good tale and 2011 World Cup is home now. Three days from now another IPL series is going to start. Dhoni will be there as well. A loss in one or the other match, and all the praise Dhoni has got in the last three days will be set aside. Dhoni, alas, doesn’t have the luck to live amid the glory of victory for years on unlike Kapil Dev.
The story has been published on iSikkim.com
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