1983... One of the greatest years in Indian sports. A year when India became a World champion. Take stance and face up to these questions as we pay tribute to `Kapil's Devils' on their successful quest for the `Holy Grail' of lmited-overs cricket on a heady summer's day in London 19 years ago.
Questions:1. June 25 was already part of Indian cricket folklore much before Kapil Dev lifted the Prudential Cup at Lord's in 1983. In what way is the date historic?
2. India opened its campaign by not only posing just its second win but also inflicting the first defeat for its opponent in the three editions of the competition. Who was the opposition and which Indian was the top-scorer?
3. The opening day, June 9, saw one of the greatest upsets in LOI history with a debutant stunning a former finalist. There were three players in the two squads who entered the record books for having been part of two different National sides. Name the players.
4. Two World Cup bowling records, best bowling in an innings and most expensive figures in a completed spell, which stand to this day, were `achieved' in the 1983 edition. Identify the hero and the villain.
5. What is common to Yashpal Sharma, Madan Lal, Kapil Dev, Roger Binny and Mohinder Amarnath?
6. There is nothing more embarrassing than scoring a `duck' and it's a disaster if the first three batsmen in a side get out without bothering the scorer. Name the three Pakistanis who did so against New Zealand at Edgbaston on June 12.
7. "I was in a trance-like state when I began my innings. It was, however, one of those days when nothing could go wrong. I do not believe I will see another day like that in my career," wrote this player in his autobiography about his incredible match-winning, unbeaten century. Who on a knock that is not preserved on film because of a flash strike by BBC on that day?
8. Continuing on the above theme, a staggering 57 per cent of the individual's innings came in boundaries. Can you recall how many fours and sixes were smashed?
9. There was only one player in the victorious Indian squad who did not get to play even a single match in the tourney. Name this unlucky, yet champion member.
10. Partnerships are vital to a team posting a good total. The best-ever World Cup stands for the ninth and 10th wicket were got up in matches featuring India. Name the players involved.
11. This Indian star, who didn't do much of note in the competition, pepped up the team before the final by saying Chalo Jawano, Chal ke Ladte Hain (come on soldiers, let's fight). And what a fight it was against the Windies! Name this legend.
12. In the final, who: (i): was the highest scorer; (ii): scored the only 0; (iii): played with an injury and was refused a runner initially while batting?
13. Which rule, now part of any LOI match, saw its genesis in the 1983 World Cup?
14. In a tournament where everything went right for the country, Indians set the records for the most number of catches and wickets. Name the individuals.
15. To end the quiz on India's glorious outing, apart from the gleaming silverware, what was the prize money given to the winner?
* * *Answers:1. On this day in 1932, India made its Test debut against England at Lord's.
2. West Indies and Yashpal Sharma (89).3. Zimbabweans John Traicos (who had played for South Africa) & Graeme Hick (who later played for England) and Australia's Kepler Wessels (future captain of South Africa).
4. Best bowling: West Indian Winston Davis' 7 for 51 against Australia and Worst bowling: New Zealander Martin Snedden's pathetic figures of 12-1-105-2 against England.
5. They were the Indians who won Man of the Match awards in the event, with Jimmy Amarnath picking up two — in the semifinal and final.
6. Mohsin Khan, Mudassar Nazar and Zaheer Abbas.
7. Kapil Dev on his unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells on June 18, 1983.
8. 16 fours and 6 sixes.9. Left-arm seamer Sunil Valson.10. 9th wicket: 126* by Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani against Zimababwe and 10th wicket: 71 between West Indians' Andy Roberts and Joel Garner.
11. Sunil Gavaskar.12. (i): Krishnamachari Srikkanth; (ii): Kirti Azad; (iii): Clive Lloyd.
13. The `fielding circles'.14. Kapil Dev (7 catches) and Roger Binny (18 wickets).
15. 30000 Pounds.Compiled by V.V. Ramanan
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