published by, Nibandh Vinod
Last Update: March 10, 2023, 09:59 AM IST
After winning the trophy, Sunil Gavaskar announced that he would never lead an Indian team again, bowing out on a high.
India registered a comprehensive 8-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 10 March 1985
On this day in 1985: The defining moment for Indian cricket came on June 25, 1983, when Kapil Dev and his motley group stunned cricketing superpower West Indies to win the 1983 World Cup. But many thought the victory was a flash in the pan as India were not a force to be reckoned with even in limited overs cricket.
But two years later, the Indian team under Sunil Gavaskar proved to the world that India is indeed one of the best teams in the world in 50-over cricket. Australia put on a show for the world as colored clothing and white ball cricket made its global debut at the World Championship of Cricket.
Powered by Ravi Shastri’s all-round performance, India registered comprehensive victories over arch-rivals Pakistan, England, Australia and New Zealand to force their way into the summit clash played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 10, 1985. ,
India took on Pakistan for the second time in the tournament and this time for the final prize. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. An agitated Kapil Dev bowled a dangerous spell to reduce the Green Brigade to 29/3. Senior professionals Javed Miandad (48) and Imran Khan (35) stitched a slow-paced partnership of 68 runs to take Pakistan past the 100-run mark.
Young leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan picked up three wickets to demolish the middle and lower order as Pakistan finally managed to post 176/9 in 50 overs.
Indian opener Kris Srikkanth attacked the Pakistanis right from the start and played a blistering knock of 67 off just 77 balls. Srikkanth hit six fours and two maximums in his knock before he fell to the great Imran Khan.
His opening partner Ravi Shastri tied the knot with an unbeaten 63 off 148 balls as India sealed a massive eight-wicket win with 17 balls to spare.
Ravi Shastri was honored with a new Audi 100 after being named ‘Man of the Series’, and Sunil Gavaskar announced he would not lead an Indian team again, bowing on a high.
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