Kapil Dev's top backward-running catch to dismiss Viv Richards in 1983 WC final: Watch

Thursday marked 37th anniversary of India lifting its first ODI World Cup in 1983. 1983 World Cup final is one of India's most memorable matches as India defended a modest total of 183 against mighty West Indies team. However, it wasn't easy for Indians as batting great Viv Richards was taking game away and guiding Caribbean team to ir third consecutive World Cup title at one point of match.

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1983 World Cup final: Kapil Dev catch to dismiss Viv Richards that turned match on its head

Chasing a paltry 184 for victory seemed like a formality for Viv Richards who had breezed away to 33 from 27 balls, as West Indies were 57 for loss of two wickets. Viv Richards, whose game was based on dominance, hooked one-off medium-pacer Madan Lal, only to mistime it. However, ball still propelled away towards mid-wicket fence.

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Indian skipper Kapil Dev, who had stationed himself at short midwicket, ran backwards with his eyes set on ball. It took a sprint of a few yards for Kapil Dev, who n remarkably grabbed ball over his shoulder. Kapil Dev made it look very simple and always was watching ball. What followed was sheer disbelief at first and n it was mayhem. mighty Viv Richards was back in pavilion. 

This catch turned tide of match in India’s favour as West Indies failed to recover from re. Eight wickets fells for next 83 runs as India won ir maiden World Cup title ensuring fall of Caribbean Empire. Apart from West Indies, India became first team to lay ir hands on cricket’s most prestigious silverware. Kapil Dev catch in 1983 World Cup final is considered to be one of best catches of all-time in cricket.

Kapil Dev catch: Here's a video of sensational catch

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Kapil Dev's words that motivated players to defend 183 in 1983 World Cup Final

While speaking on a show ‘Winning Cup – 1983’, Srikkanth went on to say that with West Indies' batting line-up and looking at 183, Indian players had lost heart already but Kapil Dev had n said one thing that changed everything. Srikkanth narrated that Kapil Dev did t say that India would win but motivated players by saying even though Indian team have been bundled out for 183, y should build resistance instead of giving away match so easily. Recalling that epic win, former opening batsman mentioned that Kapil Dev's words were  turning point for Indian cricket and for Indians and that too at a time when cricket was dominated by West Indies, Australia and England at most.

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VIDEO COURTESY: ICC