The great Indian spin trick
Sandhu and Kapil turn the final around for India
25-Nov-2010
The Lord's slope befuddles Greenidge • Getty Images
Greenidge loses his off stump
India v West Indies, final, Lord's
India against West Indies was not exactly an even contest, and a paltry target of 183 was not one that was expected to test the likes of Gordon Greenidge, one of the finest opening batsmen of the day. Lulled into complacency, perhaps, Greenidge, facing Balwinder Sandhu, dropped his guard and left alone what he saw to be a fairly innocuous delivery outside off stump. The "infamous" Lord's slope, though, brought the ball back in, and to Greenidge's horror, it hit off stump. India had drawn first blood. West Indies went on to suffer an attack of nerves and collapse to 140 eventually. Greenidge's shock dismissal set the stage for India's greatest ever triumph.
India v West Indies, final, Lord's
India against West Indies was not exactly an even contest, and a paltry target of 183 was not one that was expected to test the likes of Gordon Greenidge, one of the finest opening batsmen of the day. Lulled into complacency, perhaps, Greenidge, facing Balwinder Sandhu, dropped his guard and left alone what he saw to be a fairly innocuous delivery outside off stump. The "infamous" Lord's slope, though, brought the ball back in, and to Greenidge's horror, it hit off stump. India had drawn first blood. West Indies went on to suffer an attack of nerves and collapse to 140 eventually. Greenidge's shock dismissal set the stage for India's greatest ever triumph.
Richards c Kapil b Madan Lal, India v West Indies, final, Lord's
Greenidge's early dismissal had given India hope. The straightforward target of 183, a mediocre attack, and the chance of a third consecutive World Cup win were on Viv Richards' mind when he started off in hurricane fashion. He had already scored a century in the previous win over India, and the seven boundaries he hit in his 33 all but seemed to have doused Indian hopes. But just when India had almost thrown in the towel, Richards played an aggressive pull shot off Madan Lal. It seemed to be headed for safety, but Kapil Dev ran more than 20 yards backwards, looking over and pouched the all-important catch that gave India the boost that proved decisive as they pressed for the win.
Greenidge's early dismissal had given India hope. The straightforward target of 183, a mediocre attack, and the chance of a third consecutive World Cup win were on Viv Richards' mind when he started off in hurricane fashion. He had already scored a century in the previous win over India, and the seven boundaries he hit in his 33 all but seemed to have doused Indian hopes. But just when India had almost thrown in the towel, Richards played an aggressive pull shot off Madan Lal. It seemed to be headed for safety, but Kapil Dev ran more than 20 yards backwards, looking over and pouched the all-important catch that gave India the boost that proved decisive as they pressed for the win.