Saturday, March 7, 2015

World Cup 2015: For India, it's all about knocking opponents over (Source : TOI)

India have recorded four wins out of four games in this World Cup and in all the four outings they have dismissed the opposition before the allotted 50 overs. 

READ ALSO: India defeat West Indies to reach quarterfinals

The similarities are eerie with India's two other major ODI triumphs, the 1983 World Cup in England and the 1985 World Championships in Australia... 

Full Coverage: ICC World Cup 2015

In the 1983 World Cup, India won six matches to be crowned the World Champions and in all the six games, they ended up bowling the opposition out. Their victims included West Indies (twice), Zimbabwe (twice), Australia (once) and England once. 

Kapil Dev, Roger Binny, Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath may not sound threatening at all, but they did the job. 

In the World Cup here, they have so far beaten Pakistan, South Africa, UAE and the West Indies and in all the games the bowlers, who were supposed to be the villains during India's losses in the Test and Tri-series, have risen to the occasion. 


Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath after India won the World Cup at Lord's in 1983. (Getty Images)

Mohd. Shami and Umesh Yadav impressed in the wins over Pakistan and West Indies while Mohit Sharma strangled the South Africans at the MCG. Against UAE, it was Ashwin who spun a web on a wicket that didn't really favour the spinners. The omens are good and one hopes the bowlers carry the form where they face Ireland and Zimbabwe. 

In the World Championships of cricket in Australia in 1985, India won five games and barring Pakistan in the final, they dismissed all the opponents to be crowned champions. 

They did beat Pakistan in the group match though. During their victorious campaign, they also beat England, Australia and New Zealand.

Indian players celebrate with captain Sunil Gavaskar after winning the ​World Championships of cricket at the MCG in 1985. (Getty Images)

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