5 greatest individual tournament performances in World Cup history
In the world of team sports, cricket stands apart. The grand old game often tends to distil down to little pockets of individual performance which coalesce into the performance of the collective. Whether it be a bowler running in, a fielder picking up a ball or a batsman pacing on his crease, every individual gets an opportunity to do their bit and showcase their talents on the world stage. In the condensed pressure situations that is limited overs cricket, the stage doesnt get bigger than the World Cup. The best teams in the world, the best players in the world facing off against each other in the ultimate battle of cricketing skill. The ten cups the world has witnessed up until now has seen their share of sporting brilliance. Here’s a look back at five of the greatest individual performances in the history of the tournamentNote – the views expressed here are the author’s own. The isn’t exhaustive, would love to see your favourites in the comments!
#1 Kapil Dev, India, 1983
Under the typically overcast English skies at the Nevill Ground, Royal Tundbrige Wells, India stood facing the mother of all shellackings, after one of those batting collapses that sub-continent teams seem to specialize in when touring the Old Blighty, against an inspired Zimbabwe. It was the third edition of the limited-overs World Cup, and India were on the verge of elimination. They needed to win this match.
With Peter Rawson and Kevin Curran in the midst of the spells of their lives, India had collapsed to 17/5 when Kapil Dev Nikhanj walked in to try and salvage the situation. The captain took the match to Zimbabwe with arguably the most spectacular display of attacking batsmanship ever seen under such immense pressure; his 175* off just 138 balls was a breathtaking assault on the fine sensibilities of the cricket watchers of the day.
Riding on the coat-tails of Kapil’s magnificence, India closed their innings on 266/8: an exceptional score considering the circumstances. Fittingly, it was Kapil who ended Zimbabwe’s reply at 235, catching John Tracois off his own bowling as India started on an epic run of victories. After beating Australia in another do-or-die duel, India would go on to thrash England in the semis to set up a final date with the two-time defending champions and arguably the greatest cricketing side assembled under the sun: Clive Lloyd’s West Indian juggernaut.
The match followed the script early on as the fearsome Caribbean attack of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Michael Holding ripped through the Indian batsmen, but a bout of resistance from the tail helped India scramble to a relatively decent 183. It was surely not going to be enough, though. Not with Vivian Richards on the other side.
Striding onto the pitch with the air of an emperor survey his kingdom, Richards grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck – as was his wont – and proceeded to 33 off 28 balls. It seemed like it was all over for the plucky Indians.
Just then, Kapil pulled off what must surely be the single greatest moment in modern Indian sports history: the moment that would prove to be the turning point in not just that match but for all that followed in Indian cricket, as well. With his back to the ball, he ran a good 20 yards to pull off a spectacular catch that ended Richards’ stay at the crease. The inspired Indians would fight with everything they had and would bowl the might Windies out for 140. India were World Champions.
The man himself ended the tournament with one of the greatest all-round performances: 303 runs (avg. 60.6), 12 wickets (20.41) and 7 catches (in 8 matches)